specific needs of children and elderly left behind as a ... - IOM Moldova

Policies and mechanisms existing on the protection of children and the elderly
- Speaking in this context about the role of community social workers,
they partially represent the guardianship authority in the community.
They hold the instruments that allow legal proceedings regarding children,
they are those who can correctly assess the situation and direct
different cases to different institutions, they are able to take actions:
“they ring like alarm bells if necessary” (IIA_EC_1). Unfortunately, the
dimension of the phenomenon goes beyond the capacities of the social
assistance system. One expert from the Ministry of Labour, Social
Protection and Family made a simple arithmetic calculation that
proves the truthfulness of what was said above: “if we take an average
number of 60-70 thousand children left without parental care, then they
should be cared for by only 1500 social workers. You see the figure is
significant. In the community there can be one hundred children left
behind and only one social worker who is in-charge of disadvantaged
families, social services and so on... they have too many responsibilities...
(IIA_EC_1).
Although the research highlighted certain forms of support and social services,
we underline that they bear a general character and are sporadically
provided. In addition, the dimension and the gravity of the phenomenon
of children left behind exceed the possibilities of social services provided
at present in the Republic of Moldova.
• Family members addressing the local authorities before migrating
abroad
Following the provisions of national laws, before going abroad, parents
have to appeal to a number of institutions (see chapter 2.1.). According to
the research data, parents avoid or reduce to a minimum their contact
with local authorities: “very rarely, we find them by ourselves” stated the
majority of the interviewed experts. For example, parents quite seldom address
the Child Rights Protection Department to appoint a legal guardian
for children who are left alone: “No, only a very few children whose
parents work abroad are placed in guardianship” (FG_EC_urban).
The community police is called only if a problem arises related to the
child or his/her guardian (alcohol consumption, violence, etc.): “They call
the police only when they have troubles, when the school can’t handle the
child” (FG_EC_urban).
The family doctor is also not informed of the parents’ departure abroad although
the interviewed experts said it will study if the doctor is acquainted
with the heath condition of the family and especially of the child: “I think
it should be done first as the family doctor is acquainted with the family
and the child, being informed on record and health issues and he/she could
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