Recipients of the Poverty Benefit Scheme (PBS) and Care and Protection would be receiving an additional $150 food voucher in May and June.

Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar made the announcement during the signing of the Letter of Understanding between World Food Programme and Government.

The World Food Programme is giving $4.6million to Government.

Minister Akbar also said that Social Pension Scheme beneficiaries would receive $50-worth food vouchers apart from the monthly allowance for the next two months.

She further stated that this assistance will only be rolled out to social welfare recipients in the 12 priority areas which were severely affected by Tropical Cyclone Winston.

These priority areas includes Vanuabalavu, Koro,Lomaiviti Group (including Nairai, Batiki, Ovalau, Moturiki, Wakaya, Mokagai), Taveuni-Qamea, Savusavu (Rabi), Bua – Nabouwalu,  Tavua, Tailevu –Ra,  Rakiraki, Ba, Lautoka, and Yasawa.

“This programme will benefit a total of 10,931 Poverty Benefit Scheme Beneficiaries and a total of 1830 recipients of the Care and Protection Programme, in 12,761 households,” Minister Akbar said.

“The individuals assisted under the Social Pension Scheme (that includes senior citizens who are 68 years and above in age) will also be assisted,”she said.

Signing of the Letter of Understanding (LOU)

The Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management, Inia Seruiratu during the signing stated the request was made by Government to the World Food Programme regional director last month.

“Government had already spent approximately $8.4m for relief assistance for the first 30 days of state of national disaster,” he said.