Fiji's government is being urged to feed around eight thousand school children in the drought-effected western division who are living in serious poverty.
A survey by Save the Children Fund shows that children from poor families in the west are suffering from malnutrition and lack basic school supplies.
The NGO's national manager, Irshad Ali, says farmers in the Tavua and Rakiraki areas are facing extreme hardship after their crops were destroyed by last year's drought.
Mr Ali says school roles are declining in the area and he fears some children will be put out to work for their families.
"It's important to retain the children in the school system, there's a big need to establish feeding programes and to secure some sort of food supply for the families in the affected areas. Water is quite critical, this needs to be improved, they also need support for basic school requirements."
Mr Ali says the NGO has sought urgent assistance from the Prime Minister's office and the education ministry.
