Ukraine: Scary orphan statistics

The Gaws reported some really scary statistics on what happens to “post-institutional orphans” in Ukraine.

1 comment

  • Precisely. As understood during the research of a research project , from which I offer an extract:

    “We see a staggering array of social problems arising directly from poverty, including but not limited to tens of thousands of children in orphanages or other state care; crime; disrespect for civil government because government cannot be felt or seen as civil for anyone left to suffer in poverty; young people prostituting themselves on the street; drug abuse to alleviate the aches and pains of the suffering that arises from poverty and misery; HIV/AIDS spreading like a plague amidst prostitution, unprotected sex, and drug abuse; more children being born into this mix and ending up in state care at further cost to the state; criminals coming from poverty backgrounds, ending up as bandits, returning to communities after prison, with few options except further criminal activity. These are all part and parcel of the vicious negative cycle of poverty, and this threatens to destroy Ukraine, if Ukraine is defined in terms of people rather than mere geographic boundaries. Overall, population is steadily declining; families have not sufficient confidence in tomorrow to reproduce more than 1.2 children on average per couple. ”

    http://www.p-ced.com/projects/ukraine/national/

    The paper was delivered to Ukraine’s government 2 years ago, in October 2006 prior to publication the following August.

    Only a few months ago, the UN reported on the HIV epidemic in Ukraine with an official rate of more than 1.6%, probably higher considering how it’s stigmatised, this is now considered a threat to all Europe.

    If ever there was a moment to contemplate enlightened self-interest, it surely is now.

    Jeff

Join the conversation

Authors, please log in »

Guidelines

  • All comments are reviewed by a moderator. Do not submit your comment more than once or it may be identified as spam.
  • Please treat others with respect. Comments containing hate speech, obscenity, and personal attacks will not be approved.