Location: Satu Mare

Situation:
Despite joining the European Union and the structural reforms of the 1990s, Romania does not seem to be able to overcome its political instability and economic difficulties. This situation hinders the  government's work on child protection. Doctors of the World's PACA regional delegation supports the work of the COPII organisation and civil society in the fight against the abuse and abandonment of children.

Activities:
In the absence of any Romanian child abuse prevention experts, Doctors of the World (DOW) UK’s PACA regional delegation is monitoring the supervision of new childcare professionals by working with the Romanian organisation COPII.
There are two parts to this work:
• Continuing professional education for professional childcare assistants (AMPs) and organising support groups;
• Supporting the Romanian association, COPII.

As a result of the project 304 child protection professionals benefited from training, which helped 457 children in care.

Outlook:

DOW hopes to develop, together with the COPII organisation, a better understanding of the causes of abandonment, carrying out a  retrospective community study in the different locations or  communities of Satu Mare. Following this, the medico-social workers will work to  detect signs of distress in pregnant mothers and find alternatives to abandonment for these vulnerable mothers.

Project start date: April 2004     

End date: On-going