Some residents of Muanikoso settlement, Nasinu, on lockdown for more than two weeks now, claim calls to government’s 161 helpline have not resulted in any food rations being delivered to them.
The families said the only assistance they have received was from a non-government organisation.
Abhilash Sen, 43, and his wife Jaineshni Sen, 39, said they were worried because they were running out of food.
“We have not received any help from the Government so far,” said Mr Sen.
“I registered on *161# for food rations but it has not reached us.”
Mr Sen said they had started to feel the effects of the lockdown.
“We cannot go out from this area to look for work or food for our families. This is the time when people look to Government for assistance.”
Mr Sen said so far, only an NGO had helped them with some food items.
“They gave us 4kg rice, 4kg flour, dhal, tinned fish and some other stuff but that is not enough.”
Similar sentiments were echoed by Sunil Dutt of Muanikoso settlement.
“One NGO gave us some food items but we got nothing from Government,” he claimed.
“There are four people in my house – my mum, sister, my son and myself.”
Questions sent to Economy Ministry manager and co-ordinator infrastructure sector, budget and planning Kamal Gounder this week remain unanswered.
