Some beggars prefer to live on the streets- Fatiaki

Director for Social Welfare Rupeni Fatiaki has stressed that they have made every effort to provide shelter to the homeless people but some of them prefer to stay on the streets.

This is after concerns were raised as some people were seen sleeping along Pratt Street in Suva today.

One of them has told us that they do not have homes and usually sleep at various locations in the city and the reason they are at Pratt Street is because the shops were closed today.

He says they have been sleeping on the streets for many years now and this is nothing new for them.

When questioned if the Social Welfare Department is looking into the issue, Fatiaki says they have profiled every beggar in Suva and are aware of their background.

He says they have provided them with shelter such as the Old People’s Home in the past but some of them do not want that and return eventually to the streets.

Fatiaki adds one reason for this is that these people have to follow certain rules in the homes and they do not want to live under those circumstances.