Government is working with key stakeholders to establish the first rehabilitation facility for street beggars who are both homeless and mentally challenged.
The Interagency Taskforce on Beggars which is spearheaded by the Ministry of Social Welfare in partnership with the Fiji Police and relevant non-government organisations have embarked on a major plan to build this facility.
Formed in June last year, the Taskforce had carried out a profiling exercise recently and gathered comprehensive information outlining the family background of 40 beggars found in Suva.
The Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni says that the evidence analysis has enabled the Taskforce to look at strategies of addressing street beggars in Fiji.
“The Taskforce had gathered information on each of the beggars in Suva and discovered that there are those who have good homes and own properties, while there are those who are mentally challenged and they are neglected by their families. Given these findings, the Taskforce has embarked on a major plan which is to build a rehabilitation facility for street beggars who don’t have a place to stay.
“The facility will provide care services to those who are mentally challenged and need medical attention. Vocation training will also be provided to assist them to venture into income generating projects and become self-sufficient. The Ministry is working together with stakeholders like Fiji Police, municipalities and NGO’s to help street beggars,” Minister Luveni explained.
The land to build the new rehabilitation facility has already been identified and construction work is expected to begin in a few months’ time.
“The facility should be ready by this year and we got the budget and identified the land to build the facility in Suva. The Ministry has also secured partnership with a Faith Based Organisation to ensure this plan materializes.
“We want to ensure that we have a place to take these people to once we take them off the streets. But in the meanwhile, the Ministry has partnered with NGO’s to provide shelter to those beggars who don’t have a place to stay and also linking up with the family members of these beggars to look at the best means to accommodate them”.
“The Taskforce will meet next week Friday to further map out the way forward for succeeding in the plans. We are particularly concerned about the fact that children and persons living with disability are used to gain sympathy to collect money from the public,” Dr Luveni said.
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