A new referral system to guide vulnerable families out of poverty and into jobs, housing, and support services is at the centre of Fiji’s long-awaited poverty strategy, as Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection Sashi Kiran pushes for a shift beyond cash assistance.
Under the referral system, people in need will be assessed and directed to the right agencies based on their situation.
Ms Kiran noted that more than 100,000 people currently rely on social protection.
“These are people who are in some form of need, and they’ve been largely supported by cash support, but poverty is not only about cash, it’s also a lack of support,” she said.
“So there has to be a proper referral and monitoring system that we’re able to lift these people out.”
She explained that under the system, a family may be referred for housing support, counselling services or agriculture programs, while older children can be linked to education, vocational training or jobs.
She added that their progress will also be tracked to ensure support leads to lasting outcomes rather than repeated dependence.
“The intention is simple yet powerful, across Government we must offer connected solutions so people can move off the temporary assistance system into sustainable independence.”
She noted that rural and maritime communities continue to face limited access to markets, water systems, and financial systems.
“Too often development happens around communities rather than with them.”
With rural communities still facing these issues, and no national poverty framework since 1999, the plan aims to deliver a coordinated, whole-of-government response.
“Social protection must protect but it must also transform.”
