United Nations Children's Fund (Moldova)

UNICEF came to Moldova in 1995 in response to the emerging needs of children, young people and their families.

The Republic of Moldova is making efforts to break the cycle of poverty and migration, formed in the 1990s. Despite progress, Moldova remains the poorest country in Europe. The quality of education has decreased, along with the economic difficulties faced by the Republic of Moldova; many children live in precarious conditions and in broken families, their parents being forced to migrate to other countries in search of jobs. Moldova also records a large number of children in institutional care.

UNICEF is taking action to help the Government of the Republic of Moldova, communities, families and children protect children's rights to ensure that they have access to the services they need. This means ensuring that all children, especially the most vulnerable, receive good quality health care, have well - informed parents or carers who provide them with the necessary support, attend school and are protected from dangers.

A high priority their Republic of Moldova is to protect children from violence, abuse, neglect and deprivation of family environment. The most vulnerable children in the Republic of Moldova are at risk of being deprived of healthcare, education, protection, and subsequently exposed to exploitation and trafficking risks.

Our general goal is: "Equal rights for all children, no neglected child"!

What UNICEF does

UNICEF acts as a lawyer for children and young people in the Republic of Moldova. We work closely with the Government and civil society, parents and the community to meet the needs of children and respond to the challenges outlined above.

The current UNICEF - Country Program of the Republic of Moldova is running over the period 2012 - 2017 and supports the Government's efforts to achieve the rights of children and adolescents.

The program has several components:

• Child protection against violence, abuse and neglect;
  
• Ensuring fair access to high - quality services in the fields of health, education, child protection;
  
• Develop evidence - based social policies and advocacy and collect disaggregated data on children.
  
• We implement our program in different ways:
  
• We advocate effective evidence - based policies to support children and families;
  
• We support innovative programs for the care and protection of children and adolescents.
  

We make sure the voices of children and young people are heard, and their opinion counts for parents, specialists and decision - makers.
The program operates throughout Moldova, with special efforts being made to cover the children of the Transnistrian region.