USP students Association establish Good Neighbour Initiative to assist students affected by COVID-19

199 students of the University of the South Pacific who have been affected by COVID-19 have been given ration packs through the Good Neighbour Initiative which has been established by the USP Students Association.

The packs include rice, oil, potatoes, flour, noodles, salt, sugar and other necessary food items.

Association President, Lepani Naqarase says the first batch of assistance targeted mostly private students whose parents have suffered job losses or are on reduced hours and are struggling financially.

Naqarase says they reached out to the various cultural presidents who submitted the names of students who needed urgent assistance.

He says they have a budget of around $30,000 and are looking to assist more than 1,000 students in the coming weeks.

Naqarase says they are using the students’ money which they pay as general fee at the beginning of the semester.

He says they are working with the university to provide other necessities to students such as mobile data and stationery.