The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation has reaffirmed its commitment towards the development of children in residential care homes.

Minister Rosy Akbar reiterates that Care and Protection Allowance allocation for children in residential care homes will increase as of next year.

Increase in CPA

“The increase in the Care and Protection Allowance (CPA) of $1.2 million in 2016 Budget will improve the administration of Care and Protection Programme for poor single-parent households.

“It will cater for the increase in allowance for children residing in residential care homes – an increase from $100 to $120 monthly allowances to strengthen support for those children in residential care homes.

“These children will be accorded a higher level of care in terms of education and health, and better living support as we continue to improve their current circumstances and provide them with a better future. CPA has a budgetary allocation of $3.2 million in 2016 budget,” Ms Akbar said.

“Currently there are over 3141 children who are benefiting from the Care and Protection monthly allowances (CPA) provided by the ministry.  This is an ongoing programme of the ministry that assists single parents, guardians and residential homes that provide foster care, adoption and residential facilities for orphans,” Ms Akbar said.

The homes

The residential homes are Methodist Dilkusha Home, Saint Christopher’s Home, Homes of Hope, Fiji’s Juvenile Rehabilitation and Development Centre, Pearly Gates Home, Saint Tabitha Safe Home and Orphanage, Treasure House, Saint Mina’s Home, Veilomani Boys Home, Lomani Au Home. A total of 168 children are currently residing in these homes.

The ministry also provides additional grants ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 to assist these residential homes.

The grants are provided based on the requests made by the homes, some of which are administered by faith-based organisations.

2016 works

“The Child Services Budget of $500,000 in 2016 will further enable the Ministry in partnership with other stakeholders and international organisations like UNICEF, to make many inroads to expand the scope of its child protection awareness programmes.

“This will also ensure continuing funding of the National Child Helpline and enable this valuable service to expand to its operations around the clock.”

Recognition from UNICEF

Meanwhile, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has commended the Fijian Government for its continued commitment to child welfare and development. Amanda Bissex, UNICEF chief of Child Protection said: “We can see the commitment by the Government of Fiji in ensuring that children are given the best education opportunities.

“UNICEF will continue to support the child awareness programmes in Fiji, by reaching out to the families and communities, to help them understand about children protection. Especially for identifying and responding to child welfare cases.

“And it’s great to have a champion like Minister Akbar to openly speak about the child welfare issues in many public forums,” Ms Bissex said.

Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation

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