The Department of Social Protection in Fiji is undertaking crucial initiatives to provide financial assistance to about 35,000 vulnerable households and children in need of care. Minister Sashi Kiran emphasized that this support also includes approximately 56,000 elderly citizens through a social pension scheme and around 13,000 individuals living with disabilities.
A significant aspect of this assistance is the e-transport program, which aids approximately 30,000 individuals. Additionally, transport assistance top-ups benefit 44,000 seniors aged over 70 and persons with disabilities. This reflects a strong acknowledgment of the importance of social protection in building a resilient system capable of supporting individuals during economic hardships and natural disasters.
In a noteworthy development, Fiji has implemented its first adaptive social protection strategy and plan in mid-2023. This initiative seeks to create systems that can efficiently deliver assistance during crises. As the 2024-2025 cyclone season approaches, the Ministry is collaborating with partners to introduce new projects, including a multi-purpose cash transfer anticipatory action program aimed at supporting around 15,000 households, along with a parametric insurance initiative to aid 2,000 beneficiaries in disaster-affected areas.
This commitment to strengthening social safety nets also reflects broader investments across the Pacific region, where social assistance spending has nearly doubled in recent years. Such funding focuses on expanding coverage and addressing critical concerns like poverty and access to essential services, ensuring community resilience and fostering long-term welfare.
Amid these challenges, Fiji’s dedication to establishing a robust social protection framework offers hope for a more secure future for its most vulnerable citizens. The collaborative efforts between government agencies and community organizations indicate a positive outlook for continued improvement in the living conditions of those in need.
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