CHILDRENS’ CARE AND DEVELOPMENT: HIGHEST PRIORITY FOR THE FIJI GOVERNMENT AND UNICEF PACIFIC

25/01/2023

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Pacific and Fiji Government have committed to build an enduring partnership that provides equal opportunities for education and a conducive learning environment for every child in Fiji, to be able to reach their full potential in life.

UNICEF’s strong collaboration with the Fiji Government, was conveyed to the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Honourable Sitiveni Rabuka, at an introductory call from the UNICEF Pacific Representative, Mr. Jonathan Veitch, yesterday (24/1/2023).

Discussions focused on delivering the highest priority - excellent care and wellbeing of all children in Fiji and their accessibility to education, health, as well as safe and protected environment to be able to strive for a better future.

The partnership aligns with UNICEF’s Multi-Country Programme 2023-2027, comprising 5 thematic areas, “Health and Nutrition, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Child Protection, Education and Social Policy.” In the latest cycle, UNICEF has allocated USD $30.5 million to assist Fiji.

Prime Minister Rabuka commended UNICEF’s tremendous support for Fiji and the Pacific, through the targeted programmes that align to the Fiji Government’s commitment on childcare and welfare in Fiji. He said the Fiji Government will work closely with UNICEF to deliver the best care and support to the children of Fiji, the future leaders of this nation, at every step of their development.

He thanked UNICEF for reaching out to communities in Fiji during times of great need, through the provision of humanitarian and relief assistance, technical support and cluster coordination, amongst other programmes undertaken at the national level.

Prime Minister Rabuka said Fiji looks forward to UNICEF’s partnership in our shared priorities to create an inclusive and sustainable future for the present and future generations.

He thanked Mr. Veitch for the opportunity to discuss the key areas of cooperation between UNICEF and the Fiji Government.

Mr. Veitch congratulated Prime Minister Rabuka for the recent election and he reasserted UNICEF’s support to work closely with the Fiji Government.

He commended Prime Minister Rabuka and the Fiji Government for the recent ‘Back to School Support’ for all Early Childhood Education to Year 13 students for the school year 2023.

“UNICEF congratulates the Government of Fiji on its commitment to ensuring that all Fijian children come back to school. The back to school cash transfer support of FJ 200 per child will benefit approximately 200,000 children whose families have a yearly income of FJ50,000, and complemented with continued investments in the education sector, this can contribute to enhancing learning outcomes for children. We will continue to work together to strengthen this partnership with the Government to ensure we are able to provide the best future for our leaders of tomorrow – the children.”

“The goal for all children in Fiji to be able to enjoy their rights cannot be achieved in isolation. We thank the Fiji Government for supporting UNICEF’s work in the country, and for giving priority for promoting children’s rights.

“The collaboration between UNICEF and the Government of Fiji highlights the ongoing overall commitment to ensure all children are able to live in a safe and protected Pacific, where they are able to freely access and express their rights.”

UNICEF works for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone, across 190 countries and territories.