As Greek politicians resume coalition talks on Wednesday, the population continues to suffer.<br/> <br />Thousands of residents hurt by rising unemployment and crippling social cuts queued up in the summer heat for produce handouts in Athens.<br/> <br />Twenty-seven tonnes of fruit and vegetables were provided by a farmers' organisation to those struggling to afford basic items.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Greek) PEGGY MOSCHONA, 55 YEAR OLD PENSIONER:<br/> <br />"Terrible, things are terrible. We are constantly paying taxes. They are cutting pensions. The situation is dramatic and as time goes by, things will just get worse. Although I am optimistic, I don't think I should be."<br/> <br />Many of those queuing up have never had to take handouts before.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Greek) ELENI MOSCHIDOU, 56:<br/> <br />"Can't you see what I've sunk to? I have never done this before. I have never lived through this before. This is the first time and if needed I'll come back for whatever it is I need."<br/> <br />Economic reforms and austerity measures introduced as part of an EU / IMF loan have hit ordinary Greeks hard.<br/> <br />Now Greek political parties want to renegotiate the terms of the loan in order to ease the pain of citizens - but it won't be easy.<br/> <br />Greece is entering its fifth straight year of recession, with 22 percent of the population unemployed and around a fifth of the country living in poverty.<br/> <br />Simon Hanna, Reuters.
