Health Minister Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu states that the increase in the 2024-2025 Budget allocation for NGOs from $900,000 to $1.6 million is intended to fund the work carried out by these organizations.
He was responding to a question from Independent parliamentarian Faiyaz Koya, who inquired about the nearly 78 percent increase.
“As you would have known, this grant to NGOs in this financial year was allocated to a few NGOs, namely the Fiji Cancer Society, Empower Pacific, and a few others—probably five,” Dr. Lalabalavu said.
“For this financial year, we have noted an increase in requests for funding through NGOs. What the NGOs do is fill in the gaps where the Ministry’s work is very much needed.
“This year, we are also expecting WOWS Kids Fiji to come on board and apply for this funding.
“The funding is processed through an Expression of Interest (EOI). Currently, we have five NGOs, and I can provide the names of the current NGOs in this financial year. For this Budget, we are expecting more NGOs to come on board and receive a portion of these funds so that they can assist the Ministry in their work.”
Koya queries 78% hike in NGO allocation.