In an effort to eradicate poverty, the Poverty Eradication Unit will be conducting a campaign called "Working together" in the central, western and northern division this month.
Director Tokasa Leweni said it is part of the International Day of Eradication of Poverty which is celebrated on the 17th of October.
Leweni added that they have also focused on empowering the poor with skills training which is also part of government taking on the recommendations by the country's leading economist USP Professor Warden Narsey that government focus more on rural development.
The Preliminary report on poverty and income distribution in Fiji in 2008 2009, Professor Warden Narsey said in the years 2002 2003, 35 percent of the country was in poverty however for 2008 2009 there was a marked decrease of 10 percent with the survey showing 31 percent of the people in the country are in poverty.
According to Professor Narsey, one of the contributing factors to this decrease was the continuous support from Government in terms of the Poverty alleviation Resources however, these resources are being misplaced as 43 percent of the poor live in the rural areas compared to only 19 percent in the urban centres and that, more focus needs to be on the rural population.
The Poverty campaign will be held on the 20th-21st in Suva, Lautoka and Labasa.
Story by: Sofaia Koroitanoa
