Between 82,000 to 110,000 Fijians expected to fall below the poverty line – UN Women

Between 82,000 to 110,000 Fijians expected to fall below the poverty line – UN Women

By Pratika Mala
21/08/2020
UN Women Representative Sandra Bernklau.

A recent UN socio-economic impact assessment has found that the national poverty rate in Fiji is expected to increase where an additional 50,453 to 82,694 people are expected to fall below the poverty line with a worst case scenario of 110,000 individuals getting into poverty.

UN Women Representative Sandra Bernklau made this comment while speaking during the Consultation on Women's Resilience to Disasters and Climate Change in Suva.

According to the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, if a household income is less than $209.24 per week, they are considered to be living below the poverty line.

In the 2017 Census, it was stated that 28% of Fiji's population lived below the poverty line.

Bernklau also says the number of children in poverty will increase from 98,226 to as high as 141,147.

She adds we are also experiencing an unprecedented global crisis with the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with tropical cyclones Harold and Sarai.

Bernklau says communities are having to cope with multiple and overlapping disasters making recovery extremely difficult.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation says it is helping Fijians through their Poverty Benefit Scheme, Care and Protection Allowance Program, Social Pension Scheme and the Expanded Food Voucher for Rural Pregnant Mothers.

77,512 people were previously getting social welfare payments however payments of about 10,000 people have been suspended as they had not filled in their re-certification forms to show that they are still eligible for the assistance.

The Ministry was allocated $159 million in the budget.

FEATURE NEWS
PM says AG has asked Minister of Justice to ‘explain’ and report on Acting Corrections Commissioner issue
Prime Minister and Constitutional Offices Commission Chairman, Sitiveni Rabuka says he will need to verify the date of the incident involving the Acti...
2 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Online Safety Commission receives complaint about viral video showing Acting Corrections Commissioner involved in a fist fight
The Online Safety Commission has received a complaint regarding a video currently circulating which shows a senior government official involved in an ...
2 hours ago

Oldest operational US War Vessel, USS Blue Ridge, docks in Suva
United States of America Navy Vessel 7th Fleet Flagship USS Blue Ridge LCC 19, the oldest operational Navy Vessel in operation with 1,000 Navy crew ...
2 hours ago

SPX-listed companies declare $43M in dividends, up 116% from Jan–April 2024
Companies listed on the South Pacific Stock Exchange have collectively declared $43 million in dividends from January to April this, continuing a ...
2 hours ago

FICAC drops sedition and other charges against Ben Padarath due to lack of witnesses
FICAC will not be able to continue to prosecute Benjamin Padarath, who was charged with sedition, attempting to defeat the course of justice, ...
3 hours ago

WAF attend burst pipe on Talasiga Road off Rewa Street
Residents of Talasiga Road off Rewa Street in Suva are raising concerns about the impact of a burst pipe on their road. A concerned citizen had ...
3 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Tragedy at PRB Flats: Couple found dead in suspected murder-suicide in April
A couple were found dead at the new Lagilagi Public Rental Board Flats today and it is alleged at this stage that it was a murder suicide case on ...
9 hours ago

Tevita Ikanivere on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show focuses on Ikanivere’s journey, his family, career and how far the Drua has ...
13 days ago

Daniel Fatiaki and Professor Narsey on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Chair of the Electoral Reform Commission and former Chief Justice, Daniel Fatiaki and Electoral Reform Commissioner and economist, Professor Wadan ...
13 days ago

TOP