Billion of EU Aid can help Romania's Children

By Jane Nicholson

Mr. Brian Douglas in his letter to the editor makes several observations relating to my interview in Curental and the Financial Times advertisement. As he correctly states, no NGO paid any money towards the advertisement (which was a fraction of his estimated cost). 31 of the 33 NGOs and all of the sponsors who paid the cost of the advertisement have no involvement with international adoptions. It is common for charity sponsors to give anonymously, so we see no reason to break this confidentiality which due to rumours have have no basis in truth.

First, we are grateful to the Romanian government on many accounts, the excellent relationships we have with many government ministries and local officials, and for their donation of land for FARA's specialist centre for children with disabilities. We also have admiration for what Romania has achieved as a country in the last 15 years in many different areas, including infrastructure, commerce, education, politics and social reform.

However, I fully disagree with Mr. Douglas's assertion that it is right for any country to permanently rely on foreign donors to fund its own child care services. Social welfare is a primary obligation of all governments, as it is in the EU, which Romania should be joining in six months time. This includes the provision of assistance to helpless children, of which abandoned and disabled children are some of the most vulnerable. Over the last 16 years, FARA (a Romanian registered charity) has built up an organization of experienced Romanian professionals who have changed the lives of many vulnerable children, a large number of whom come from some of the poorest families in the country. Our commitment is for the long term, as is that of our donors who have contributed 94% of the funding from Great Britain.

However, much more needs to be done. There is an urgent need to provide specialist care for children with disabilities, both from natural families and those within institutions. Our new project is in line with EU strategy and has the full backing of the National Authority for Child Protection.

Mr. Douglas correctly says that there is now foster care available inRomania; however, this is severely restricted due to lack of government funding and FARA in common with other NGOs are having to take in additional children with little contribution from the state.

What Mr. Douglas overlooked was the final point in our FT statement: our finger was not pointed directly at Romania's pocket, but at the expected EUR 30 billion of EU aid. Our hope is that some small part of this package is targeted to relieve the suffering of these children, and to finally ending this source of international concern that has gone on far too long.

Jane Nicholson is Chairman, FARA Foundation Romania & UK.

Copyright C 2004-2006 Bucharest Daily News