More than 140 Fiji National University hostel students studying at the Natabua Campus in Lautoka are in need of food and hand sanitizers.

Speaking to the Fiji Sun yesterday, the Head Residential Assistant (RA), Kustino Tabaiwalu, said the students were grateful to the Punjas Group of Companies for donating hand sanitizers and food supply last week, but they were in need of more. There are currently 58 males and 86 females occupying the hostel.

Mr Tabaiwalu said since FNU’s mid-semester break was extended to another week, food supply was running low.

“What we are lacking and what we need assistance with are the sanitizers. We don’t have masks, we don’t have a lot of gloves but because we are in the hostel and visit other rooms, share things, go out and get food, we don’t know who we are in contact with,” he said. “We acknowledge Punjas for their assistance with hand sanitizers, bathing soap and biscuits but since our mid-semester break has been extended we need more assistance, especially with food supply. “We have been reaching to our friends and families in the Lautoka area to help us and they have been bringing food to help us in the next few days.”

He said keeping the students safe and well kept was important to him.

FNU Acting Vice-Chancellor James Pounder is assuring all hostel students at the Natabua Campus and McGregor House that their staff members were working diligently to keep the cafeteria running to allow access to food and water for the students.

“The university is also wellstocked up on soap, disinfectants and other hygiene materials at these residential halls. We are also thankful to Punjas and the Indian Cultural and Religious Association for their kind donation of soap supply etc, which is an addition to our stocks,” he said. Campus Student Association president Rebecca Matai said she assured the students that she would look after them and see that food was available for all.

Ms Matai said the girls were also thankful to the Ruel Foundation Fiji group for donating women hygiene kits last week.

Mr Tabaiwalu said as student leaders, they were only going out willingly to seek assistance on their own and they were grateful to have received assistance so far.