The European Union (EU) and the Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises and Development (FRIEND) Fiji have joined forces once again to set up food banks in Ba, Lautoka and Nadi for struggling families.

The food banks, funded through a $30,000 assistance from the EU, would hold ration packs put together by FRIEND Fiji.

EU ambassador for the Pacific Sujiro Seam said the funding was meant for their Europe Day celebration that was supposed to be held on May 9 in Suva.

“Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was impossible to host our traditional Europe Day party to celebrate what the EU stands for: unity, solidarity and harmony,” he said.

“Using the budget set aside for this event to help the people of Fiji is a different way to promote our values.

“I recognise that Lautoka was the first city in Fiji to be put in lockdown after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in Fiji.

“The people in this city are the ones who have suffered the longest because of their situation and the West is also the beating heart of the tourism industry in Fiji.”

FRIEND Fiji founder Sashi Kiran said the partnership would allow FRIEND Fiji to reach out to the many citizens who have been suffering because of growing unemployment brought in by the COVID-19 crisis.

“FRIEND and our beneficiaries owe a lot to the EU over the years,” she said.

“We were a very small entity when the EU entrusted us with their partnership to undertake EU growth programs to supplementary income in 2012.”

She said distribution of food packs in Ba, Nadi and Lautoka would begin soon.

“With the assistance today, we will actually be able to set up a food bank which we haven’t done here where those who need it can pick up their food packs.

“These will be for those in Ba and Lautoka.”