Fiji

FIJI Post-Disaster Needs Assessment
As of March 2016, the total number of households receiving benefits under three major social protection programmes are
as follows: 22,802 households under the PBS; 3,313 households under the CPA; and 17,782 households under the SPS.
In 2015, the FVP for pregnant women in rural areas benefitted a total of 4,221 rural pregnant mothers from a F$1 million
budget allocation.
25,000,000
20,000,000
F$ million
15,000,000
10,000,000
5,000,000
0
2012
2013 2014 2015
Social Pension Scheme
Child Protection Allowance
Poverty Benefit Scheme
Food Voucher Programme
Figure 14: Social Protection Budget (2012–2015)
Source: Fiji Budget Esimates (2012–2015).
Vulnerable Children
Children comprise approximately one third of Fiji’s total population and are expected to remain at the same level by 2035. 30
According to the HIES 2008/2009, 61 percent of children belonged to families living below the basic needs poverty line and
almost 80 percent of children were in families that lacked sufficient income to invest in their development. Children in specific
areas of the country were identified as being particularly disadvantaged, including those living in squatter settlements, low
quality urban housing, rural areas and the Northern Division. 31
Elderly
In response to the National Ageing Policy, 32 the SPS was introduced for elderly people with an annual household income
of F$9,100 or less. While the FNPF provides cover in old age for those in the formal sector, SPS will cater to the estimated
70 percent of the elderly population who are not covered by FNPF. In 2015, the SPS eligibility age was reduced from 70
to 68 and the allowance was increased from F$30 to F$50 per month to assist more senior citizens. This is reflected in
the upward trend in the cost of the SPS from F$3 million in 2014 to F$8 million in 2015. The eligibility age will be further
reduced to 66 effective from July 2016.
People Living with Disabilities
According to the Pacific Disability Forum, 4,534 people with disabilities live in cyclone-affected areas. The Fiji Disabled
Peoples Federation undertook an assessment of 986 people with disabilities and found that tools they used for their
livelihoods and micro businesses had been destroyed, particularly in the red zones, and women’s weaving produce was
destroyed, including pandanus leaves.
2.2.3 Assessment of Disaster Impact
Employment and Livelihoods
TC Winston affected approximately 540,400 people and the livelihoods of about 108,083 households located across the
country’s four divisions. While 5,780 laid-off employees and/or workers with interrupted income-generating activities were
reported as of April 2016, a decline in production of goods and services are estimated over a five-year period, likely to result
30
2007 National Population Census.
31
Republic of Fiji Poverty Trends, Profiles and Small Area Estimation (Poverty Maps) in Republic of Fiji (2003-2009), World Bank 2011.
32
Recent progress in the government’s commitment to addressing ageing includes passing the National Council of Older Persons (NCOP)
Decree 2012. This enabled the establishment of the NCOP for the purpose of inclusivity, instilling dignity, respect for human rights and
meeting basic needs through the empowerment of older people and for related matters (NCOP Decree, 2012). The NCOP is directly
aligned to the National Ageing Policy [2011-2015], which the Cabinet endorsed in 2011.
32 Tropical Cyclone Winston, February 20, 2016