More than 108,000 people were supported through government social protection programs in 2025, as increasing case loads placed mounting pressure on frontline services.
Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran said the ministry currently supports “108,174 beneficiaries through six major social protection programs”.
She says the ministry faces challenges including “increasing case loads, and delays in the timely processing of social protection allowances”.
“These place significant pressure on frontline service delivery,” Ms Kiran said.
She said the ministry had progressed the review of the National Ageing Policy and begun scoping for new aged-care facilities in the Western Division and Suva.
She said elderly residents were safely relocated from the termite-infested Golden Age Homes Lautoka building to Matanakilagi House.
“The ministry is also responding to deep-seated and evolving social challenges,” she said, including “financial, emotional and physical abuse of the elderly and senior citizens.”
Ms Kiran said the ministry launched the National Policy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2025–2030) which strengthens inclusion and empowerment.
She said outreach initiatives such as the REACH Programme continues to take government services directly into rural, remote, and informal communities to improve access and welfare.
