Fiji Poor Continue to Migrate from Rural to City Squatter Suburbs

The rise in squatter settlements in Fiji is alarming. From the latest figures provided by the Ecumenical Centre for Research, Education and Advocacy (ECREA) there are 180 squatter settlements across the country. ECREA director Father Kevin Barr says the situation is worst in the greater Suva area.

An estimated 16.4 per cent of the capital city's population lives in squatter camps. This is really alarming. Why is there a rise in squatter population and settlements? This is now a national problem. The squatter problem is a big socio-economic and developmental issue as it is deep-rooted in poverty, unemployment, inequality, mal-development and land tenure insecurities. Can this problem be solved?

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