SUVA, Fiji — 11 May 2026: In a significant move to bridge the gap between humanitarian aid and long-term development, UNFPA Pacific, in partnership with Fiji National University (FNU), the Pacific Regional Cash Working Group, and regional partners, has officially launched the first-ever Regional Executive Short Course on Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) for Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH).
The course, hosted by the FNU College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences (CMNHS), represents a strategic shift in how the Pacific addresses the health needs of women and girls during climate shocks and disasters. By utilizing CVA, the programme aims to remove the financial barriers that often prevent vulnerable populations from accessing maternal health care, contraception, and menstrual health supplies.
Spanning three months from April to June 2026, the curriculum follows a four-stage learning journey. Participants will engage in a series of online modules, a face-to-face intensive workshop in Fiji, and country-specific feasibility studies culminating in the development of practical roadmaps for implementation.
In the Pacific, climate change is not a future threat; it is a daily reality. This course ensures that when disaster strikes, the dignity and health of women are not sidelined. By putting cash directly into the hands of those who need it, we empower them to prioritize their own reproductive health needs, said UNFPA Pacific Director, Bidisha Pillai.
As the leading medical institution in the region, Fiji National University’s involvement signals a move toward long-term institutionalization and localization of humanitarian skills.
FNU is proud to lead this localization effort. By integrating Cash and Voucher Assistance into our academic framework, we are equipping the next generation of Pacific health leaders with the adaptive tools necessary to build resilient, sustainable health systems, expressed Dr. Amealia Turagabeci, Dean of the FNU College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences.
The inaugural cohort of 29 participants consists of senior to mid-level representatives from Fiji, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Tonga. The group includes officials from Ministries of Health, National Disaster Management Offices (NDMOs), and Ministries of Gender and Social Protection, alongside heads of country-level Cash Working Groups.
This regional collaboration is made possible through the generous support of the Government of Australia and its longstanding Regional Pre-positioning Initiative Project.
Australia supports this initiative as a partner. Cash and voucher assistance is a practical delivery approach that enables timely and dignified support to women and girls across preparedness, response and recovery phases. This initiative aligns with Australia’s Humanitarian Policy, which emphasizes strengthening regional capacity, building resilience to crises, and advancing gender equality.
The course is further supported by content partners including the Partnership for Social Protection, the CALP Network, and the University of North Carolina. By bridging the gap between theory and practice, the programme prepares participants for high-level policy dialogue and the eventual rollout of CVA-integrated health services across the Blue Pacific.
Media Contact
Salamatu Muhammed
Communication Officer, UNFPA Pacific
Email: smuhammed@unfpa.org
Phone: +679 711 1525
Wati Talebula
PR and Communications Specialist, FNU
Email: wati.talebula@fnu.ac.fj
Phone: +679 2078459
