SUVA, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Fiji's Social Welfare Department said Monday they will review the information of 77,512 qualified recipients who are currently part of their schemes to ensure they really need state assistance.
According to Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC), Rupeni Fatiaki, director of Fiji's Social Welfare Department, said that they need to get all the latest information of all their recipients as they continue to determine those that still need the financial help from the department as some families were known to be abusing it.
The Social Welfare Department is requesting all beneficiaries who haven't filled their recertification forms to do so at the soonest time.
He said they will review all the recipients and remove those that are seen to be financially stable. About 64 percent of the recipients have returned their forms so far.
In May, the Department urged Fijians to look out for street-smart people out there who manipulated people and took advantage of the current COVID-19 situation to be assisted.
While there are genuine cases on the ground, Fatiaki has also highlighted cases of beggars being dropped off every morning to beg on the streets and then picked up every afternoon by their family members.
There were cases of people owning properties however still begging on the streets, he said, adding that there were youths and adults begging to get money for drugs. Those people who have relatives who can look after them preferred to stay on the streets in the capital of Suva and also in Lautoka, Fiji's second largest city.
He said people are asked to verify these cases. The genuine recipients also want to get out of poverty and do not want to sit on the streets all their lives.
The beggars in Fiji are categorised as professional beggars, mentally challenged cases, social welfare recipients, child beggars, the homeless, and part-time beggars who move around during major events. Enditem
