Vuniwaqa happy that COVID-19 Response Budget will help maintain the current social protection programs

The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation is happy that the COVID-19 Response Budget will help maintain the current social protection programs.

This includes the Social Pension Scheme, the Poverty Benefit Scheme, the Care and Protection Allowance, the Rural Pregnant Mothers Program and the Disability Allowance.

Minister Mereseini Vuniwaqa has told parliament the total allocation to the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation for this fiscal year is now 144 million dollars.

This allocation is an increase of about 60 million dollars from the initial 2019/2020 National Budget.

Vuniwaqa says the very fact that the budget for the Ministry has been increased during these trying times speaks volumes of where the heart of this government is.

Vuniwaqa also confirms the National Women’s Expo will not be held this year.