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Moldova

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Active in Moldova since 2004, Terre des hommes (Tdh) runs projects aiming at preventing child abuse, neglect, exploitation and trafficking. In 2011, 9500 people benefited from the activities implemented.

The context

Moldova remains one of the poorest countries in Europe. Besides the consequences of an economic crisis, a five-year long social crisis worsens family poverty and living conditions in the country, especially in rural communities. This situation encourages the exodus of an important part of the population searching for work mainly in Eastern Europe and in Russia. are worsening. It is estimated that almost 12% of the children are left without one or both parents, which impacts negatively their development. The child protection mechanisms in place are insufficient to implement a protective environment for children, thus increasing the risks of abuse, neglect, child labour, risky migration and trafficking.

Centered at 28.369885 47.411631 7

Children's situation

  • 22% of the population is less than 18 years old
  • 32% of the children aged 5 to 14 years old work
  • 19% of the children are married
  • 25% of the teenagers consider that it is normal for a husband to beat his wife

Delegate: Iveta Bartunkova
Expatriate staff: 1
National staff: 41
Budget: 567'295 CHF

In collaboration with: Salvati Copii, Blagotvaritelni Fond “Detstvu Zabotu i Vnimanie”, UNICEF, Ministry of Social Protection and Family

Strengthening of the children protective environment

Social workers, animators and school inspectorates are trained and coached to organize and supervise group activities with parents and children. Those events are helpful to increase the children capacities to cope with problems. In the meantime, community social assistants and regional supervisors social assistants are trained on case management and referral for the most vulnerable children. Their stronger collaboration strengthens child protection mechanisms.

A model of action to be shared

Tdh elaborates a training manual based on its tools and lessons learnt. This model of action is shared with various ministries to lobby for its introduction in other regions. Actions are also undertaken at the Ministry of Education level to include Tdh’s methodology for the group activities with children in the curricula of schools monitors.

Support for victims

Children victims of exploitation in Russia and Ukraine are supported in their community reintegration thanks to transnational cooperation between the three countries.

  • 85 municipalities in Moldova are now involved in the network aiming to protect children from abuse, neglect, exploitation and trafficking.
  • 383 extra stakeholders were trained last year to do so and notified 1,537 cases of vulnerable children.
  • Solutions have been found for 378 of them so far.
  • Thanks to Tdh, 61 schools now pay teachers to organise psychosocial activities after school and during the holidays to increase children’s well-being, their social inclusion and prevent them from migrating. 2386 children benefitted from them in 2011.
  • Tdh assisted the repatriation process for 26 children found in Russia and Ukraine. Other solutions were found to protect 19 Moldovan children in Russia and 12 in Ukraine, the great majority of which were reintegrated in their biological or extended families.

In this country we deal with the following themes