Page 10 - IB July 2020

COVID-19 COVID-19

BACK TO FARMING FIJI GOES

AS COVID19 PAINS SET IN

Words: Samisoni Pareti Relief offered by the Fijian Government like withdrawing
Photos: Justin J Naisua their pensions while helpful, are temporary, and many are
resorting to other means to earn income. They include 2014
Fresh from a 10-day tour of Viti Levu,Fiji’s main island, the Miss World Fiji, Charlene Tafuna’i who lost her job as an
next four pages offer a snapshot of what the Islands Business aircraft engineer at Nadi International Airport and is a regular
team saw as Fijians adjust to the economic and and social at the VOTCITY Flea Market in Nadi.
shocks brought about by the COVID19 pandemic. Thousands more do not qualify for pension withdrawals nor
Employees of now-closed hotels and resorts who live have the means to venture into business and this is where
in villages are falling back to subsistence farming and the work done by non-governmental organisations like the
fishing. For the many more families who live outside these Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises N Development
communities and who pay rent or mortgage in Sigatoka, Nadi and the Then India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam in providing food
and Lautoka, the adjustments are much harder. packs and free school lunches respectively is life saving.

Members of the public waiting in line to pick up their groceries from the FRIEND Fiji truck.

FRIEND Fiji (Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises and Development) Food Kiran Kumar standing next to the FRIEND Fiji truck parked at the Siva Subramanium
Bank coordinator Saral Chand speaking to members of the public who came out to Temple car park in Nadi.
receive free groceries in Nadi.

10 Islands Business, July 2020