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First field visit of UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Hilde F Johnson to CEE/CIS region

UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Hilde F. Johnson (right) and head of UNICEF office, Ray Virgilio Torres during a press conference at UN House, Chisinau, Moldova.

Moldova is the first country visited by Hilde F Johnson since her appointment to this position

CHISINAU, 22 October 2007 - On her first field visit, the new UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Hilde F Johnson visited Moldova and met high level officials on October 8-9. The visit resulted in excellent advocacy with high level decision making for ensuring that all Moldovan children benefit from the recent economic growth.

Three major priorities for children of Moldova, highlighted during the visit are continuation of the deinstitutionalization process, increased efforts for HIV prevention and creation of an Ombudsperson for Child Rights function.

“Moldova records an economic growth acknowledged by international bodies. Important reforms have been initiated in the social sector meant to ensure that all Moldovan citizens benefit from that growth. During the meeting I had in Moldova it became clear to me that there was strong commitment, not just an intention to implement these reforms,” Hilde F Johnson stated at a press conference organized on the occasion of her visit to Chisinau.

UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Hilde F. Johnson met the Prime Minister of Moldova, Mr Vasile Tarlev, October 2007.

Hilde F Johnson met with the Speaker of the Parliament, Prime-Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, ministers of health and youth, social protection, family and child, as well as heads of parliamentary commissions. Hilde F Johnson has also met people living with HIV and other beneficiaries of UNICEF work in Moldova.

Reforming the residential care system

The Republic of Moldova is now in the middle of the reform of the residential childcare system. In this context, Mrs Johnson has admitted that this is a difficult and long process which can cause controversies. Therefore, it is extremely important that the reform is implemented in a thorough, strategically correct manner and that it takes into account the fate of each child and each employee of these institutions. “There is no turning back – the reform must be implemented, but correctly, so that no one suffers,” she said.

Increased efforts in the field of HIV/AIDS

Hilde F Johnson stated that the infection with HIV/AIDS is rapidly spreading. “Rapid spreading of the infection affects children as well: they become infected, as orphans, they are rejected by society, some are even denied access to education and health care. The epidemic is not likely to be stopped without increased efforts for education in the field of HIV/AIDS prevention and without reduced stigmatization of people living with HIV.”

And Moldova is ranking 3rd among CIS countries (after Russia and Ukraine) in terms of annual HIV-incidence. Though the number of HIV/AIDS cases is limited, it is constantly and rapidly increasing. On December 31, 2006, the overall number of people living with HIV/AIDS in Moldova was 3,400. The heterosexual transmission has become the main transmission route. HIV incidence among adolescents aged 10-19 increased five times within 2002-2006 in Moldova.

About UNICEF:

UNICEF operates in over 150 states and territories to help children survive and have a better life. Being the main vaccine distributor in the world, UNICEF supports programs in health care, nutrition, access to fresh water and sanitation, quality education for all boys and girls, child protection against violence, exploitation and AIDS. UNICEF is entirely financed by voluntary donations of individuals, private companies, foundations and governments.

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