List of Orphanage to be closed

August 10, 2005

Task Force headed by the Bureau of Social Welfare, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and made with Child Protection Agencies (among which HRPS/CPU) met last week in UNMIL to discuss matter related to Child's rights within the Welfare Institutions of Liberia. As we all are aware, several welfare institutions doesn't not meet the minimun requirements to protect child's rights and prevent abuses. Present at the last week's meeting were UNMIL Chief Civil Affairs, the Minister of Health, Chief UNICEF, Child Protection Advisor UNMIL and CPO UNICEF.

After many years of consultations and assessments of Orphanages/Welfare Institutions, the Ministry has decided to close 39 Welfare Institutions (out of 95 registered at the National Level)who are sub-standarded within Monsterado County and Lower Marigibi (SEE LIST ANNEXED)

Our working sessions with UNICEF and the Ministry on this matters suggested that about 300 children will be affected by this closure. It has been noted that :

1. The closure will take place in three phases : (1) 9 to be closed the early end of August, (2) 15 by Ist phase of October and the rest in the second phase of october.

2. UNICEF has allready identified locations to accomodate, in very adequate conditions, 270 children.

3. About 30 places will be funded very soon for remining children,

4. The task force expects that several parents will come to take their children, once released from those orphanages,most of whom was taking them in hostage.

5. UNICEF and other welfare institutions shall develop an nation-wide mass-information campaign on to publisize this closure.

6. The next assessment to follow-up with BONG, NIMBA, GRAND BASSA AND OTHER PARTS OF MONTSETADO AND LOWER MARHIBI.


7. HRPS/CPU have been tasked to coordinate UNMIL's efforts in this matter, in close collaboration with CIVPOL, MILOBS, CIVIL AFFAIRS, and the Ministry of Health, Child Protection Agencies, etc.

We will keep you updated on the last developments and what will be requested to us on this particular issue. Any idea is wellcomed.