The situation involving a mother and her son who have been sheltering at a bus stop in Nakasi has prompted the Acting Permanent Secretary for Social Protection Selina Kuruleca to call for stronger collaboration among families, communities, faith-based organisations, civil society and Government agencies to care for and protect elderly persons and vulnerable individuals living on our streets.
The Acting Permanent Secretary says this family is known to the Ministry and has received assistance on several occasions.
Kuruleca says the mother and son were previously assisted with accommodation through the Housing Assistance and Relief Trust (HART) programme.
She says the Ministry subsequently provided further assistance by facilitating their placement at St Vincent Home and with the family now back on the streets, Ministry welfare officers visited them again last week to assess their circumstances and explore further assistance and support.
She adds that the Ministry is committed to working with the family and relevant stakeholders to identify appropriate and sustainable solutions that will ensure their safety, dignity, and wellbeing.
Kuruleca acknowledges that while the motivations, information and content are loaded on social media platforms, we must always verify all information, ensure that privacy is protected, we must show compassion, integrity and kindness for the plight of our vulnerable, and ensure that when we speak up for vulnerable members of our society, that we reflect the spirit of care and solidarity.
She further stressed that addressing homelessness and the needs of vulnerable individuals cannot be the responsibility of Government alone, it requires stronger collaboration and a collective commitment from families, communities, faith-based organisations, civil society, and relevant Government agencies.
The Acting Permanent Secretary is appealing to family members to take responsibility for the care and wellbeing of their elderly relatives and loved ones, including those experiencing psychosocial challenges.
She says our elderly deserve to live their later years with dignity, surrounded by love, compassion and care.
She also says similarly, individuals experiencing mental health, domestic violence, violence against children or their loved ones, and those experiencing psychosocial challenges need understanding, patience, appropriate support and, above all, the reassurance that they have not been forgotten or abandoned.
She adds that families are the first line of care and protection and while the Government and charitable organisations can provide assistance, the love, emotional support and sense of belonging that families offer are equally important.
She is also encouraging faith-based organisations, community groups and charitable institutions to work closely with Government agencies and continue reaching out to people living on the streets, offering assistance, companionship and support wherever possible.
The Acting Permanent Secretary says as a society, we must move beyond expressing concern on social media and translate that compassion into meaningful action.
She says a simple act of kindness, checking on a vulnerable neighbour or reconnecting with a family member in need can make a significant difference.
Kuruleca is urging members of the public who come across individuals or families experiencing homelessness, neglect or other forms of hardship to report these cases to the Ministry through their Social Protection Toll-Free Helpline 1561, available Monday to Friday, from 8:00am to 4:00pm, call 1325 Child Helpline, FWCC Helpline 1560 or visit their nearest Ministry office, police station or health facility.
She says timely reporting enables their welfare officers to assess individual circumstances and coordinate appropriate assistance and support.
Kuruluca says the Ministry will continue to work with its partners to support vulnerable individuals and families, but lasting solutions require all of us to play our part.
She says let us build a Fiji where compassion begins at home, where families care for one another, and where no vulnerable person is left behind, we should have a good heart and let’s continue to show compassion, kindness and support, help where you can and show people where they can get help.
