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The Fiji Government refutes Knut Ostby’s statement that Fiji is not doing enough to alleviate the rise of poverty.
Knut, the UNDP Resident Coordinator has urged the Government to “review its response to the (poverty) problem, saying government has not done enough. “There have been attempts in Fiji for various social welfare schemes, programs, assistance to elderly destitute and disabled but so far this has not been enough,” he told Radio Australia. “In fact poverty has increased in Fiji from about 25% in 1990 to about 40% in 2008.”
Dr Jiko Luveni, Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation said the UN has its own means of describing poverty rate but the Fiji Government has allocated a lot of money and sustainability and self sufficiency training programs for the poor to enhance the alleviation of poverty in Fiji.
“25 million dollars has been allocated for the Food Voucher Scheme and over 40 to 50 million dollars has been allocated to the ministry to help alleviate poverty in the country.” Dr Luveni said.
Dr Luveni said poverty alleviation is not only addressed by the ministry but all other government ministries have united in the fight to eradicate poverty.
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Image: crosbiew.blogspot.com
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News category: Asia Pacific.
