Ukraine
Country Overview
Ukraine has experienced increased hope and enthusiasm for reform in recent years due to the 'Orange Revolution'. However, despite an economic upturn following these political events, over a quarter of the population continue to live below the poverty line. Faced with increased levels of poverty and hardship, families often feel they have no alternative but to place their child in an institution.
Poverty, unemployment, alcohol and drug abuse are common in Ukraine and the family unit is fragile. Since 1995, the number of children in institutional care has increased by 50%, with over 1,000 children abandoned each year. Alternative forms of childcare are virtually non-existent and traditional family support networks are slowly breaking down. The state offers little support and, as a result, placing a child in an institution is often a family's first and only option.
This has inevitably led to increased pressure on state services, which can provide little social welfare support to poor families, leading to greater numbers of children at risk of abandonment. Once children are placed in institutional care, the lack of social support almost invariably means that they will be unable to return home during their childhood.
What are the key issues?
- Poverty
- Unemployment
- Institutionalisation of children
- Lack of adequate social services for children and families
What is EveryChild's main focus?
- Family support
- Development of alternative family-type forms of childcare, such as foster families
- Reform of the existing childcare system
- Deinstitutionalisation of children
How is EveryChild helping?
Since 1998, EveryChild has been supporting government partners to develop targeted social services and support to vulnerable families, preventing family breakdown and reducing the use of institutional care. In all our projects, we work to reform the existing childcare system, create models of good practice and promote the development of relevant governmental infrastructure.
Due to the increasing threat of HIV/AIDS in Ukraine, our projects take positive action in making sure services are open to children and adults infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. We have also been instrumental in raising public awareness regarding HIV/AIDS by organising a media campaign and blocking the adoption of legislation that would have discriminated against the fostering of HIV-infected children.
Our family support services focus on children living in families at risk of breaking up. Short-term accommodation and practical help supports parents who would otherwise be forced to place their children in institutions. Foster care services provide a model of good practice in foster care, from recruitment through to support. Our long-term aim is that foster care will be a viable alternative for children who would otherwise be placed in large institutions.
We are proud to be managing an EU-funded project called 'Developing Integrated Social Services for Vulnerable Children and Families' which supports the new government of Ukraine to reduce the number of children in institutional care. In close partnership, we are developing new services for children and families, reforming legislation and budgets, raising public awareness and developing social work training.
Recent news: EveryChild Ukraine wins top PR award (21 December 2007)