With initial assessments indicating that more than 40,000 people are on Leave Without Pay, have lost their jobs or are on reduced hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some organizations are mobilising to work with industry stakeholders whose employees do not have any source of income.
Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises and Development or FRIEND says people are facing a lot of difficulties like providing food for their babies, unable to pay for rent or utility bills apart from putting food on the table for the whole family.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Sashi Kiran says those in dire need to get baby formula can contact them however they are also encouraging mothers to look at alternative types of food for their babies.
Kiran says assessments are coming through and about 50,000 people in the country are estimated to be severely affected.
She says some people need more than just food rations, and there is no sign on when this situation will come to an end.
Kiran hopes the employers have some social protection measures for their own employees who have been sent home without pay.
Kiran says NZAID, ANZ and other people including former citizens have come forward to assist FRIEND. The organisation has used the donations to assist more than 3,000 people however FRIEND needs more support to continue to assist the affected families.
She has also assured people who make cash donations to their bank account that all the money is given to people being assisted, and none of these funds go towards admin fees. If you are interested in providing a helping hand, you can contact FRIEND on 8983183 or email them on friend@connect.com.fj
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