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EveryChild Ukraine has successfully blocked the expansion of children’s homes being built in Kyiv region

04 Aug 2010

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EveryChild and other Non Governmental Organisations in Ukraine have successfully lobbied the Ukraine Government to halt investment in the expansion of residential care in the Kyiv region. On 23rd July the Ministry of Family, Youth and Sports announced that no more institutions will be built in the Kyiv region, and that progress will be reported on reforms made to systems of residential care for orphans and children without parental care.

In June EveryChild responded to an announcement made by the Ukrainian Prime Minister in which he committed resources to the revival and further development of children’s homes in Ukraine. EveryChild joined with UNICEF and other NGOs to appeal against the funding of new institutions and the shift away from strengthening and supporting families.

The original policy announced by the Prime Minister included commissioning local authorities to send children from poor families to study in newly built institutions for orphans.

Vasylyna Dybaylo, Deputy director of EveryChild Ukraine, said at the time:

“Our request is based on a firm belief that the best alternatives for children are provided in a family environment where children receive individual care and attention. The state, communities and local authorities should support parents in fulfilling their responsibilities, and prioritise family-based options for orphans and children deprived of parental care.”

Since 1991 Ukraine has made progress to improve childcare systems, with foster care and adoption becoming much more common alternatives to large-scale residential care. Institutional care has been recognised as damaging, particularly for young children, for a very long time which is why EveryChild in Ukraine and other NGOs working on behalf of vulnerable Ukrainian children are delighted that plans to build and develop more children’s homes have been abandoned.