A Memorandum of Understanding, which aims at integrating orphan children into families, was signed by Prime Minister Iurie Leanca and Global Alliance for Children Board Chairman Dr. Neil Boothby. According to the document, children from residential institutions would be placed in families or community services.

The memorandum's goal is to reduce the number of children of up to five years who do not develop according to age, children who live outside families and those subjected to violence, exploitation and abuse. At the same time, the Global Alliance for Children will help the Moldovan government organise more activities: summits, workshops, national-level dialogues, fundraisers and provide technical assistance.

At the same time, supervisory tools and information systems will be developed for children living outside families, evaluations on the effectiveness of the programme and other forms of measurement and reporting initiatives will be carried out.

"I am happy to be working together on the problems faced by our children, especially those from socially vulnerable families. I look optimistically at our collaboration, from which Moldovan children will benefit, I hope to make progress and build good examples in solving the problems we are facing, "said Iurie Leanca, during a meeting with representatives of the Global Alliance for Children. The event was attended by US Ambassador William Moser and British Ambassador Philip David Batson.

Neil Boothby said the signing of this Memorandum confirmed the significant progress Moldova had made ​​in health, education and welfare of children, according to international commitments and policies. "We were in Moldova for a longer period and I want to tell you that there has been progress in this area. Investing in children means economic growth. We will support Moldova to advance in implementing reforms to improve the quality of life for children in need," said Neil Boothby.

The Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of protection of children's rights between the Moldovan government and the Global Alliance for Children has a five-year period.

Note: The Global Alliance for Children was founded in November 2013 as an international alliance of philanthropic organisations, government bodies and international donors. Global Alliance for Children's mission is to mobilise resources, knowledge and commitment of the public and private sectors for the benefit of children in need in low- and middle-income countries, so as to reduce the number of children who have developmental problems, live outside families, are subjected to violence, exploitation and abuse.