Child-Sensitive Social Protection in Fiji: Assessment of the Care and Protection Allowance

UNICEF and Fiji’s Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation commissioned Development Pathways to carry out the assessment of the Care and Protection Allowance, a national scheme that provides monthly cash transfers and food vouchers to children in vulnerable and low-income families. The report examines key policy and design issues, the implementation and management of the operational cycle of the scheme, and its impact on the well-being of children. The report also presents recommendations and options for reforming and expanding Fiji’s national social security system.

Despite Fiji’s status as a middle-income country, a high proportion of children live in poor and income-insecure families. The Department of Social Welfare administers several social transfer schemes for low-income and vulnerable individuals and families, including the Care and Protection Allowance for children. This report examines levels of child poverty and vulnerability in the country, and reviews key policy and design issues, the operations of the Care and Protection Allowance, as well as its impact on recipients. The report makes recommendations to strengthen its implementation and further develop Fiji’s national social protection system.