Lautoka has the highest number of street children, according to a report submitted to Parliament by the Ministry of Women, Children, and Social Protection. The report, part of the Standing Committee on Social Affairs review of the ministry’s 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 annual reports, revealed that there are 33 children living on the streets in Lautoka, with six of them placed in a children’s home.
The ministry stated that many of these children have been reunited with their families or relatives. However, some children have not been profiled due to their condition when approached for information, leading to their transfer to health centers for necessary care or treatment.
In Suva, six children were confirmed to be living on the streets full-time, while an additional 11 children from Jittu Estate were identified as coming into town during the day. In Nakasi, it was observed that six to ten children are being sheltered by a family.
In Nadi, five identified children were seen begging accompanied by a parent or relative, returning home later in the day. Additionally, in Nakasi and Nausori, children are often used for begging alongside their parents, and reports indicate that some local children are loitering in town engaging in glue sniffing.