Despite significant progress, poverty in Fiji remains a serious problem. In 2013, almost 300,000 Fijians or 34% of its population lived below the national poverty line. Interestingly, among middle-income nations, Fiji’s national poverty rate trends high whereas its extreme poverty rate—which is 1.4%—is comparatively lower. Still, there is cautious optimism when considering the future of poverty in Fiji. After all, as a result of wide-scale efforts by both the government and various organizations, the poverty rate dropped from 40% in the early 2000s. In 2020, these groups are continuing to work toward a poverty-free future in Fiji.

5 Organizations Fighting Poverty in Fiji

1. Caritas Australia: An originally Catholic organization that works across the Pacific, Caritas runs a variety of programs targeting the effects of poverty in Fiji. An example of one of its projects is the Tutu Rural Training Centre, where farmers learn a multitude of skills through a four-year course relating to agriculture technology. When Cyclone Evan hit in 2012—which caused $312 million of damage and killed 14 people—the center also provided plants for people to start regrowing their farms. Another program is the People’s Community Network, which works to improve the lives of squatters throughout Fiji and promote self-sufficiency. Thus far, the project has helped 500 families secure land.
2. The World Bank: The World Bank has perhaps acted as the primary player in alleviating poverty in Fiji. The organization has provided loans to the Fijian government since the 1970s for more than 13 large-scale projects on issues such as improving transportation infrastructure and natural disaster relief. In 2019, the World Bank announced it would start loaning over $21 million annually for such projects with 0% interest. This money has ultimately been invaluable in helping Fiji become a more technologically advanced country and providing critical economic opportunities to the Fijian people.
3. Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS): The umbrella body of almost 500 grassroots organizations across Fiji, FCOSS has worked throughout the country to connect different groups and their projects together while coordinating with the government to ensure maximum productivity. Some of the programs that the organization embarked on to fight poverty include the Rural Women Initiative for Development & Education, which helps women obtain economic freedom, and HelpAge, which provides services to elderly individuals the state often ignores.
4. Peace Corps: The Peace Corps, an American volunteer organization that the U.S. government runs, has worked in impoverished communities in Fiji since 1968, sending more than 2,529 volunteers. These volunteers have worked on a variety of projects throughout this tenure, working primarily on conservation and resource management, teaching sanitation and safe water practices and helping communities with economic development. These projects have proved invaluable in these poor communities. For example, in 2010, the Peace Corps conducted a large-scale study and found that 87% of host communities saw improvement in their sanitation practices and 90% reported better environmental and livelihood security. Furthermore, when teaching business practices, 80% learned habits that helped them in their everyday lives. Clearly, the Peace Corps is providing crucial assistance to poor communities in Fiji.
5. Habitat for Humanity Fiji: Another international organization fighting poverty in Fiji is Habitat for Humanity. The organization builds homes in Fiji where almost 140,000 people lived in poor housing conditions. Habitat for Humanity has served a large number of homes. The organization is evidently mitigating the effects of poverty in Fiji, although Fiji requires more work.

Clearly, while poverty in Fiji remains a serious problem, there are a variety of organizations leading the fight against it. With these organizations’ continued aid, poverty in Fiji will hopefully become a part of the past.

– Chace Pulley
Photo: Flickr