More than 130,000 Fijians will receive a 50 per cent top-up in their social welfare payments over the next three months, following Cabinet approval of a $24 million support package aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures.
Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran announced the measure while opening the National Validation Workshop of the Fiji Poverty Alleviation Strategy Framework 2026–2030 this morning.
The assistance will benefit 130,157 recipients across six social protection programs, with payments expected to reach nominated accounts by April 28.
“I have been advised by our teams that the payments will be reaching recipients’ nominated accounts by the 28th of April. We hope this will help families budget and purchase thoughtfully with likely price hikes on imported goods by next month,” Ms Kiran said.
The support comes in response to rising costs linked to fuel price increases, with Government aiming to cushion the impact on the most vulnerable households.
Ms Kiran also stressed the importance of using the additional funds wisely, encouraging families to invest in food security.
“Poverty alleviation means that while there are systems and programs in place, it also requires us to think about long-term resilience, including planting our own food,” she said.
She pointed to lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, when many households established home gardens, and urged families to continue such practices.
“Establishing food security should not only be for times of crisis but a steady source of nutrition, as malnutrition and non-communicable diseases also contribute to poverty,” she added.
Officials say the initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen social protection and support household resilience amid ongoing economic pressures.
