The Government of Japan has partnered with UNICEF to initiate a significant four-year project aimed at safeguarding children and adolescents in Fiji from a rising drug crisis. With an investment of USD 5.48 million, this initiative is set to directly benefit over 150,000 children, including 10,000 at-risk adolescents.
Japan’s Ambassador to Fiji, Hiroshi Tajima, emphasized that this collaboration signifies the robust and lasting relationship between Japan and Fiji. The initiative emerges in response to alarming trends in drug trafficking and abuse in Fiji, highlighted by statistics indicating that 2,446 cases of drug-related activities were reported from May 2024 to May 2025, with 50 of those cases involving children. Data from the Substance Abuse Advisory Council further reveals a troubling increase in drug use in schools, escalating from 2,400 cases in 2021 to 3,143 in 2025.
UNICEF Pacific Representative Hamish Young underscored the urgent nature of this crisis, stating, “Every day, more children and adolescents in Fiji are being pulled into a crisis they did not create.” He expressed gratitude for Japan’s timely support, recognizing the essential impact this partnership will have on vulnerable youth.
The initiative will provide vital support to 300 children and adolescents in legal conflict, alongside thousands of teachers, service providers, community members, parents, and caregivers. Key components of the program include training for parents in positive parenting techniques, mentorship and life-skills training for adolescents, and capacity building for educators, healthcare workers, law enforcement, and social workers. Efforts will also focus on enhancing child- and adolescent-friendly environments, such as establishing safe rooms in hospitals, sensitive interview spaces in police stations, and dedicated counseling areas in schools.
This initiative will be implemented in collaboration with various government ministries, the Fiji Police Force, as well as civil society and faith-based organizations. The collective effort aims not only to combat the immediate crisis but also to foster a supportive community that promotes resilience and well-being among Fiji’s youth, ultimately paving the way for a brighter future.