An estimated 93,000 Fijians will be assisted in a large scale digital cash transfer assistance programme run by Save the Children Fiji for those affected by COVID-19.

The project, called Fiji National Philanthropic Trust Cash Programme, is run in partnership with Save the Children Australia and Vodafone Fiji from December, 2020 to April, 2021.

Save the Children Fiji chief executive officer Shairana Ali said within that time period they aimed to assist 18,000 Fijian households with the AUD$6 million funding they haD secured from a private donor in America.

The cash assistance is paid out directly to beneficiaries through M-PaiSA.

So far 4000 households have been assisted under the project.

Prioritised recipients include the disabled, those who have been left unemployed as a result of COVID-19 and are not receiving any form of assistance particularly those from the tourism sector and retail.

Social welfare recipients will not be considered for the assistance.

Of the 18,000 households targeted to benefit from the project, 14,000 households have been identified to receive four payments of $100 per payment until April.

The remaining beneficiaries will be given one-off payments of $400 assessed under the Special Needs Funds for those living with disabilities, families whose children are living with disabilities, survivors of domestic violence and abuse cases, and those who are severely disadvantaged.

Save the Children Fiji will also replicate the same cash payment system for future assistance programmes.

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