Eighty-five social protection program recipients were assisted by social welfare officers with their grocery shopping at the Sawani border, Naitasiri last week.
In a government statement, recipients received shopping vouchers for the first week of every month as part of the assistance.
Among them was Taniela Ilisevaseva, 75, of Waidravia Village in Naitasiri who received the assistance and travelled to Sawani border to collect pension every week.
“I am thankful to the Government and the officials at the border for their patience and time in taking care of people who come to the border,” he said.
He pleaded with Fijians to adhere to all COVID-19-safe protocols to help protect lives and contain the spread of the virus.
Program recipient Lemeki Tuikubulau of Korovou Village urged Fijians to get the vaccine and support the Government and the Ministry of Health in their efforts to combat COVID-19.
“I am thankful to the government officials at the border for catering to the needs of the people at the Sawani border by doing our shopping and helping us sell our goods.”
Mr Tuikubulau also urged Fijians to make the most of the land around them for agriculture.
