Moldova The reform on child residential institutions will be extended to other 6 raions

April 15, 2008

Comment: The results of the first year of the child care residential system reform in the Republic of Moldova were presented at a national conference on April 8th, 2008. The article provides data on the most significant impact of the reform. The Strategy and Action Plan on the residential system reform is to reduce the number of institutionalized children by 50% up to 2012. Supported by UNICEF, Moldovan Government prevented the institutionalization of 469 children, reintegrated 264 children into biological families and 15 newly created Commissions for children monitored 1,458 children at risk. Based on the best practices, the reform will be extended to other 6 regions.

The journalist emphasizes the great need of those 11’500 children, 80% of whom have both their parents alive, to have the opportunity to live in a family type environment in day-care centers which the reform plans to continue to support. This is essential taking into consideration that, according to recent statistics, the delinquency rate among children are increasing and being more exposed to the risk of trafficking. The success and difficulties of the reform are not represented in the article by civil society representatives. This is revealed by other journalists who describe that further consideration needs to be given to children in the transitory phase, where children are confronted with integrating society at the age of 18.

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