Vietnam launches project on alternative care for vulnerable children

The Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs launched a 12-year project on alternative care for disadvantaged children on November 20.

Funded by the UK-based organisation Care for Children (CFC), the project consists of four stages, with the pilot stage running in Hanoi and Thai Nguyen in the north for 2017 – 2020.

Photo: dantri.com.vn

The organisation will collaborate with local agencies at different levels to provide personnel training for public social protection centres to be in charge of alternative care, including the selection of suitable foster families and assessment of fostering process. Care for Children will also design specific materials and training syllabuses for Vietnam.

Robert Glover, chief executive of Care for Children, said it aims to bring a better life for children.

He noted that childcare centres are often costly, while the cost of fostering children within the community might be high at first, but will gradually decrease.

Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs Dao Hong Lan said the point is to replicate the model nationwide.

The United Nations estimated that approximately 8 million children worldwide live in social centres.

VNF/VNA