GOVERNMENT should immediately make $10 million available to urgently address food crises faced by impoverished families across the country, says National Federation Party (NFP) leader Professor Biman Prasad.
In a statement issued yesterday, he said if people were not provided support, they would be forced to leave their homes to find ways and means to feed their families.
“We are appealing to the Government to show leadership and take clear, positive and immediate steps to tackle the issue of food poverty in our country resulting from the renewed coronavirus outbreak,” he said.
Prof Prasad said the NFP was making the appeal as both he and the party had been inundated with calls from the poor and struggling families pleading for assistance.
“People do not just need food. They also need basic medicines, sanitary materials and – importantly right now – masks.
“People should not have to choose between buying masks and buying food.
“If people are not given support, it will become difficult for them to stay home.
“Staying home is critical to addressing the spread of the virus.”
Prof Prasad said opening up Fiji National Provident Fund payments did nothing for the thousands of Fijians who were not members.
He said Government should hold virtual meetings with the many NGOs, faith-based organisations and other networks who were already working to relieve food poverty – to gather information and understand the situation on the ground.
The NFP leader said once the need was assessed, funds should be released to the organisations to carry out aid programs.
Questions sent to the Prime Minister’s Office and Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum about the comments made by Prof Prasad remain unanswered.
