$100,000 allocated to support women and men that are forced to be on the streets

A budget of $100,000 has been allocated to support vulnerable women and men that are psychologically challenged and are forced to be on the streets due to unacceptance back into their community or families.

The new initiatives for the Department of Social Welfare includes grants to organizations assisting psycho-social and street dwellers.

$147.7 million has been provided to the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation to run programmes that can create an inclusive social safety net for Fiji’s most vulnerable groups.

The government will continue funding for programmes which include Poverty Benefit Scheme, Child Protection Allowance, Food Voucher Program, Social Pension Scheme, Disabilities Scheme and Bus Fare Subsidy.

The Ministry will also be establishing the Department of Children that will specialise in services that are in-line with legislative commitments. The Department has the statutory responsibility to ensure the safety and protection of the children of Fiji, including those under the care of the State. $100,000 has been allocated to commence the establishment process.

According to the government, the Poverty Monitoring Unit will continue to monitor and report on Poverty Alleviation programmes implemented by respective government agencies and is tasked to review and develop a 5-year Integrated National Poverty Alleviation Programme Framework. $625,800 has been allocated to the unit.

The National Women’s Expo programme will also be re-introduced at divisional level and has been allocated $300,000.