We are still waiting for a response from the Ministry regarding food poverty issue – FCOSS

We are still waiting for a response from the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation in regards to the food poverty issue where some children are scavenging for scrap metal in dump sites while others are selling food near supermarkets to put food on the table for their families.

This is according to Fiji Council of Social Services Executive Director Vani Catanasiga who says they even invited the Ministry for a talanoa session with development partners last Saturday however no one turned up.

When questioned what FCOSS and other NGOs are doing to address the issue of food poverty, Catanasiga says many civil society organisations are already carrying out work in this area like Save the Children Fiji, Empower Pacific and other community and faith based organisations.

However, she says a lot of these work are reactionary and what they want is the problem to be addressed at the roots which will require multi sectoral approach and this can only come from the Ministry responsible for social welfare.

We sent questions to the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar last Wednesday on the food poverty issue. She has not responded. We have been told by the Ministry that it is preparing a response.