Save the Children calls for Govt to also provide food assistance to those who have been laid off from work or are unable to work due to restrictions

Save the Children Fiji says the Government’s grocery pack assistance should be expanded to accommodate not only those in isolation or lockdown areas but also those who have been laid off work, are unable to work because their workplaces are closed and those whose work hours have been reduced.

CEO, Shairana Ali says more assistance is needed for basic needs of the family and children such as milk for infants and diapers where these families need assistance at least up until parents and guardians are back into employment.

She says they have responded to more than 1,000 requests for food support since the second wave of COVID-19 began in April this year.

Ali adds they hope the Government will be able to secure supply of vaccination for children as soon as it is possible and available to Fiji.

She says she encourages special vaccination just for children so that they are protected along with the adults from the virus.

Ali is also encouraging those who are eligible to get vaccinated to keep the children safe especially now that people who have tested positive will have to isolate at home which exposes children to risk of getting infected.

The CEO has also highlighted that they are advocating for a budget that is socially conscious and addresses the immediate pressing needs of many families that have become extremely vulnerable and poor due to the impact of COVID-19 which has come on the heels of back to back natural disasters. She says they have asked for better social protection measures for children and increased budgetary allocations for the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation's social protection schemes while making submissions last month.

The CEO says they have also asked for increased allocations to the Ministry of Education to support remote learning continuity as many children are missing out on education due to COVID-19 and says they have also asked for increased funding to support children’s safe return to schools as quickly as possible.

Ali adds they have also asked for allocations to the Child Services Unit to ensure that important programs and services for children continue for example, programs to eliminate violence in homes and end violence against children.

Meanwhile, Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum will deliver the 2021/2022 National Budget at 7.30pm tonight. Stay with us as we will have live coverage of the budget address on our website and facebook page, fijivillage.