Health Minister Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu has explained that the increase in the 2024-2025 Budget allocation for NGOs, from $900,000 to $1.6 million, is meant to support the work carried out by these organizations.
Dr. Lalabalavu was addressing a query from Independent parliamentarian Faiyaz Koya regarding the nearly 78 percent increase.
“As you may know, the grant to NGOs for this financial year was allocated to a few organizations, namely the Fiji Cancer Society, Empower Pacific, and a few others—probably five,” Dr. Lalabalavu stated.
“For this financial year, we have seen a rise in funding requests from NGOs. These organizations help fill the gaps where the Ministry’s work is essential.
“For this year, we also expect WOWS Kids Fiji to join and apply for this funding.
“The funding is distributed through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process. Currently, we have five NGOs receiving funds, and I can provide their names. However, we anticipate that more NGOs will come forward to access these funds to support the Ministry in its work.”