Lautoka has the highest number of street children, according to a report submitted by the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection to Parliament. This information is part of the Standing Committee on Social Affairs’ review of the ministry’s annual reports for 2019-2020 and 2020-2021.
The ministry reported that in Lautoka, there are 33 street children, with six having been placed in a children’s home. They noted that most of these children have either been reunited with their families or relatives. However, some children remain unprofiled, often due to their conditions when approached for information, which leads the task force to take them for necessary medical care.
In Suva, six children are reported to live on the streets full-time, along with an additional 11 who come into the city and main centers during the day from Jittu Estate. In Nakasi, it was observed that six to ten children are sheltered by a family.
In Nadi, five identified children were found to be accompanied by a parent or relative, begging in the mornings and returning home in the afternoons. Both Nakasi and Nausori have seen children, usually accompanied by their parents, engaged in begging. In these areas, some children from nearby communities have been observed loitering with peers while using glue.