The Ministry of Women, Children, and Social Protection is allocating over $2.3 million each year for social welfare assistance to more than 1,978 individuals in Lomaiviti. During a recent address to the eight villages in the Mudu district, Lomaiviti Social Welfare Officer Viliame Toroca explained that the funding is contingent on the number of new recipients and those whose assistance has ended.
He noted that in total, more than 8,000 individuals benefit from social welfare programs across the country. The government plans to invest over $90 million annually in these assistance programs.
Toroca highlighted that specifically for Lomaiviti, over $2.3 million is dedicated annually to support 1,978 people in the province. He mentioned that on Koro Island alone, there are 396 social welfare recipients. In the past month, the department disbursed more than $48,000 in assistance for Koro, a figure that varies with the changing number of recipients, those who have had their support terminated, and new applicants.
In total, more than half a million dollars in social welfare assistance is distributed to Koro Island recipients each year. Mr. Toroca encouraged residents to pursue business ventures that would promote financial independence rather than depend exclusively on government support.
While many have benefited from the assistance program, he pointed out that the poverty rate has escalated, particularly among the iTaukei people. He urged the community to utilize government grants to create businesses, cooperatives, and farms.