Minister urges parents, community leaders to protect children amid floods

Parents and community leaders have been urged to take responsibility for children’s safety as flooding continues to affect parts of Fiji.

Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran, made the appeal following concerns raised by the Fiji Police Force.

Authorities have noted that unsupervised children, currently home from school due to the floods, are becoming difficult to manage.

“We have been pleading with parents, guardians, and community elders,” Ms Kiran said, acknowledging that police officers on the ground are struggling to keep children away from dangerous areas.

“Responsibility must also rest with families and communities.”

She urged extended family members or community elders to ensure children are kept away from floodwaters and other hazards.

“We never know the depth of the river. We don’t know what may be underneath the brown water. It’s very important for us to protect our children,” she said.

Ms Kiran also extended her appeal to communities to look after the elderly and people living with disabilities, ensuring their safety and care during the crisis.

Government teams are actively deployed in affected areas and evacuation centres. The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection is providing social protection support, including dignity kits for displaced families.

The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development and the Fiji Police are also assisting with relief and response efforts.

“The Government is reaching out, but we ask every individual and community elder to step up and help keep our communities safe during this difficult period,” Ms Kiran said.