Emerging from forty years of extreme communism and oppression, social and economic conditions in Romania have been slow to change. Many families live in some of the poorest conditions in Eastern Europe, with many babies still being abandoned at birth, children left on the streets.

Healthcare provision is desperately under funded, and due to poverty and neglect many children come to FARA undernourished (50% of children under 5 suffer from anaemia), HepB positive, and suffering the effects of emotional and physical abuse.

Despite Romania’s accession to the EU in 2007, the country remains one of the poorest in Europe with 40% of Romanian’s still living in extreme poverty. The people are threatened by serious political and economic problems as yet to be resolved. Entry into the EU has given a new way forward for Romanians, the opportunity to adopt shared values, address corruption and help people out of poverty. FARA still has a vital role to play in the future of Romania as the work revolves around giving practical help to the poorest and most disadvantaged families. FARA also addresses the causes of poverty by providing a voice at Government level to influence childcare policies and change the plight of vulnerable children some with disabilities. To help achieve this, FARA’s Chairman, Jane Nicholson as Chairman of the UK’s newly formed Association of children’s charities working in Romania, represents the views of over 30 NGO’s.