The revelation that 78 per cent of the country’s street dwellers live in Suva is a great concern.
This was revealed in a 2023 profiling exercise conducted by the Ministry of Social Protection in collaboration with civil society organisations.
Of the 200 people identified nationwide, 155 were located in Suva alone.
Now that’s quite a large number.
It is a concern and will raise many questions.
Speaking at the panel discussion on Suva City Council’s Voluntary Local Review (VLR), civil society representative Salote Malani described homelessness in the Capital City as a long-standing issue.
She said it was rooted in land scarcity and systemic urban planning challenges.
In fact this connection isn’t something new either.
Ms Malani believes we need to look through history and understand there was already no land, “that’s why we reclaimed land in Suva”.
The migration to Suva, she said, was largely driven by employment opportunities.
For many, this hope does not materialise!
Instead, we say some end up on the streets, victims of a system that lacks the safety nets to support those who fall through the cracks. And that is the harsh reality of life in the city!
The COVID-19 pandemic, however, revealed a deeper truth, she said.
Many who became homeless in the city, she noted, were able to return to their villages when economic activity halted.
“I’m sure most of the homeless are sons and daughters of landowners in nearby provinces.”
We agree there has to be more understanding of the social and cultural dimensions of homelessness.
Ms Malani praised citizens who have taken the initiative to house street dwellers in their homes.
“I urge passionate citizens to join civil society efforts, bring your ideas, and help us shape real solutions together.”
Homelessness in the city raises many other associated issues and challenges. This is why there has to be a concerted effort to address concerns and work out solutions.
It is good to know the figures right now, even if they are worrying.
We have a starting point! The challenge now for us is to understand the mechanics connected to homelessness in the city, and identify how we can address them.
So let’s understand the social, cultural and economic challenges. Let’s understand their stories, their origins, connections and struggles.
Let’s go beyond the numbers! Let’s look for meaningful solutions!
