Fijian Government and World Food Programme Launch Top-Up Cash Support to Families Affected by Cyclone Winston
SUVA – Fiji’s Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation (MWCPA), the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management (MRMDNDM), along with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today signed a Letter of Understanding (LOU) to formalize the partnership for special assistance for needy families affected by TC Winston.
At a press conference held at the NDMO office in Suva today, the official signing of the LOU took place between the Honorable Minister Inia B. Seruiratu, Minister of Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management and Honorable Minister Rosy Sofia Akbar, Minister of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, along with Mr Florent Chané, Head of WFP Pacific Office.
At the signing Minister Akbar said the assistance from WFP will benefit 71,700 individuals currently assisted under the Poverty Benefit Scheme, Care and Protection Program and Social Pension Scheme.
WFP will provide $4.6 million (Fijian dollars) towards supporting nearly 13,000 households registered under the Ministry of Social Welfare’s Poverty Benefit Scheme, Care And Protection Allowance and some 8,000 individuals registered under the Social Pension Scheme, in the 12 areas that were most affected by the 20th February cyclone. The food assistance is part of the overall efforts by the Fijian Government coordinated by the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO).
“The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation expresses its sincere gratitude towards World Food Programme for this initiative which will benefit particularly the poorest of the poor living in the affected areas,” Minister Akbar said.
“Some of Cyclone Winston most-affected people will breath a sigh of relief through WFP’s generous assistance,” said Minister Seruiratu at the signing ceremony. “The funds will be properly received, accounted for and transferred to thousands of beneficiaries. Integrity and credibility are the cornerstone of our rebuilding efforts.”
“Winston took away food, crops and livestock – and for many, the roof over their head,” said Chané. “WFP is proud to work with the Government of Fiji to help the most vulnerable families to buy nutritious food while they get back on their feet.”
The Government of Fiji provided initial emergency assistance to some 350,000 people. In areas where damage was particularly bad, 12,761 households and 7,985 pensioners – or 71,700 people – were identified as needing extra food assistance to help them meet their food needs.
WFP will top up the food voucher element of the existing benefits scheme with the provision of 150 Fijian dollars per month in May and June to each household, on top of the 50 Fijian dollars regularly provided through the MWCPA transfer system. Social Pension Scheme beneficiaries will also receive food vouchers worth 50 Fijian dollars per month.
WFP is entirely funded by voluntary donations. WFP’s work in Fiji is supported by funding from the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and a grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Food for Peace (FFP).
Minister Akbar explains the programme
The assistance will reach out to nearly 13,000 families and some 8,000 pensioners, living in the 12 most affected areas which include: 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.
The assistance will be in the form of additional top up to the food vouchers, for the recipients of the Poverty Benefit Scheme (PBS), Care and Protection (C&P).
The monthly food voucher program will be topped up for existing beneficiaries of the Poverty Benefit Scheme, Care & Protection with an additional $150 Fijian dollars only for the month of May and June, 2016. This is in addition to the $50 monthly food voucher provided through the Ministry of Women. The PBS and C&P recipients will receive a total food voucher of $200 Fijian dollars.
Social Pension Scheme beneficiaries will also receive a food voucher worth $50 Fijian dollars apart from the monthly cash allowance only for the months of May and June. The recipients of SPS will need to collect their food vouchers from their nearest social welfare district offices. These vouchers can only be redeemed at MH outlets, Dauds Supermarkets, Vanita Uluidai Store and Dhan Raj Chauhan Store.
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. Each year, WFP assists some 80 million people in around 80 countries.
WFP established an office for the Pacific region in Fiji in September 2015, with the aim of supporting governments in their emergency preparedness and response measures.
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For more information please contact: Anshoo Chandra, Media Liaison Officer, Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation (9904055 or 3312199) anshoo.chandra@govnet.gov.fj; Florent Chané, Head of WFP Pacific Office, WFP Suva, Tel. +679 92 75 550, florent.chane@wfp.org Silke Buhr, Regional Communications Officer, WFP Bangkok, Tel. +66-81-701-9208, silke.buhr@wfp.org