NZ to provide further support to CSOs to assist affected families in Fiji

The New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji Jonathan Curr has announced that they will continue to support civil society organizations to assist vulnerable families in Fiji during the COVID-19 outbreak.

This follows the announcement by the New Zealand Minister for Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta in June that they will provide up to $7 million to local CSOs.

The six civil society organisations are Empower Pacific, Frank Hilton Organisation, FRIEND Fiji, Live and Learn Fiji, Pacific Disability Forum and the Sai Prema Foundation.

Curr says they will be scaling up assistance in communities through the provision of food rations, psycho-social support, personal protective equipment, improvement of nutrition, health, hygiene and sanitation, improved food security, medical support, capacity building and sustainable livelihoods.

He says the target beneficiaries include children, female-headed families and people with disabilities who stand to be most affected by the social, economic and health impacts of the pandemic.

Curr says they have worked with CSOs to support social inclusion and provide tangible assistance to the many households impacted by COVID-19 and they are delighted to extend the partnership.

He adds these organisations have strong networks at a grassroots level and their community-driven approach has helped them identify and respond to needs effectively.

Curr says the CSO partners will be supporting families Fiji-wide however there will be a strong focus on delivering assistance to affected communities in the Central and Western Divisions.