Senior citizen, families, children assisted out of the streets

Children found loitering in public places without supervision will be taken to safety, and parents or guardians will be visited and counselled to uphold child’s wellbeing.

This is after a joint team from the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection and the Fiji Police Force stepped in to help a senior citizen and families found begging with children, out of the streets of Suva.

The team were conducting random sweeps around hot spots in urban centres over the past two weeks to help curb the increase in beggars and children selling or staying on the streets.

In a media statement, the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection - Fiji reminded parents and guardians of their responsibility to keep their children safe and supervised, especially during the school holidays.

"Let us all work together to protect our children, the elderly, girls and women in our homes and continue our duty of care for one another," the Ministry said.

"Families found begging with children have been given food rations and safely taken back to their homes.

"A senior citizen found living on the streets was also given the option and offered care at the Golden Age Home.

"Your Government remains committed to protecting children, caring for vulnerable people, and keeping our communities safe during this festive season."

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Teams from the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection and the Fiji Police Force have been carrying out random sweeps at known hotspots over the past two weeks to address the rise in street begging and children selling or remaining on the streets.

In a media statement, the Ministry said that the operations will continue throughout the festive season to ensure safety of children and vulnerable individuals.

"Families found begging with children have been provided food rations and safely taken back to their homes", the statement said.

Even a senior citizen found living on the streets was offered care at the Golden Age Home.

Parents and guardians are reminded of their responsibility to keep children safe and supervised, especially during the school holidays.

"Children found loitering in public places without supervision will be taken to safety, and parents and guardians will be visited and counselled to uphold the child's wellbeing, "the statement said.

The Government said that it remains committed to protecting children, caring for vulnerable people, and keeping communities especially during this festive season.

And the public must work together to uphold a shared duty of care.