Pacific / Fiji

Fiji NGO calls for more support for vulnerable communities

06:10 am on 24 August 2020

The head of a civil society group in Fiji says while NGOs welcome support from donors for those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and climate crises, more needs to be done.

The European Union recently committed US$24 million to support Fiji's rural communities.

Europe Day celebrations were cancelled this year and funds channeled to the rural development FRIEND organisation to help the vulnerable in the western division.

Sashi Kiran at the headquarters of FRIEND in Fiji Photo: RNZ/Sally Round

The foundation's director, Sashi Kiran, said the EU's US$14,000 donation went towards food, livelihood set-up and training.

"I don't think we're hearing enough national leaders talking about it. We would like organisations hosting events in Suva to bring them to Nadi so some of the economy could be injected back to Nadi," she said.

"Not a lot of services provided. There are not alot of alternatives for employment being offered. So there is a lot that can be done."

Sashi Kiran said 200,000 people in the west are being impacted by both crises.