Majority of the single mothers who are struggling for a longer period of time are those from the tourism sector

Majority of the single mothers who have been struggling for a longer period of time are those from the tourism sector.

This has been highlighted by the CEO of Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises and Development or FRIEND Fiji, Sashi Kiran during the launch of Irish Aid funded Livelihoods Program for Single Mothers today.

She says majority of these single mothers were employed in the tourism sector before and have not been able to get support since they lost their jobs.

She says while they have been providing food to these mothers, they are grateful for the opportunity with the Irish Aid which will now enable them to offer livelihood support in this mentally challenging time.

Kiran says the project from the Ireland is for one year and she hopes that within the next six months to one year, these mothers will be on their feet.

She says 50 single mothers who have been economically disadvantaged during the COVID-19 pandemic will be provided assistance through the livelihood options.

The Program for Single Mothers will strengthen households facing economic, livelihood and food security issues to increase self-sufficiency and diversify livelihoods while providing opportunities to address their immediate needs.

Kiran also revealed that they have received about 30,000 applications for food relief in the last four months, out of which 15,000 were assisted from which about 541 families were with at least one person living with disability, and at least 500 single mothers who were supported with food in particular.

She is encouraging people to check out their social media page as they are continuing a whole bunch of livelihoods training program and bringing other innovations to be supported through this crisis so that they can get on their feet again.

The Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Ireland in Australia, David Lowe acknowledged the efforts of frontliners in fighting COVID-19.

He says he hopes that with the continuing pace of vaccination in Australia and Fiji, it will once again be possible to travel between the two countries to mark the significant anniversary in 2022 of 20 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Fiji.