Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services has assisted nine families facing hardship over COVID-19 to move back to their native islands.
In a press statement on International Family Day on May 15, the gender ministry stated numerous families are going through hardships due to the disruption in their incomes and inability to meet their expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ministry stated 13 families have requested assistance in moving under the special government programme, Ahulu. The ministry stated the programme was formulated to assist struggling families move back to their native islands and the government has assisted nine families so far.
The ministry's social service department is also making assessments to determine the living conditions of the families requesting assistance. The ministry added most of the requests to receive assistance from the programme come from families who have been unable to pay their rent.
Under the programme, families receive a one-way ticket to the island, a monthly stipend of USD 194 for six months, and the government will cover a part of the expense of renovations for their new home and provide a loan of no more than USD 1,295 for further renovations.
In the press statement, the ministry highlighted the importance of strengthening family bonds during times of hardship and stated the ministry is helping many children who have been neglected by their families. The ministry stated that every child and elderly person has the right to enjoy the safety and protection of a familial environment and that being neglected of the right has a significant negative impact on their lives.
The ministry stated the government will continue to provide the best facilities and resources to care for the children and elderly under its care, but urged people to only move members of their family to state care centres as a last resort.