New study highlights challenges faced by children left behind due to parental migration in Moldova

The event brought together representatives of central and local public authorities, development partners, civil society, researchers, diaspora members, and international organizations.

The study emphasizes the vital role of caregivers and calls for stronger coordination between social protection, education, and child protection systems to better identify and support children at risk. While migration contributes to household income and national development, prolonged parental absence can impact children’s well-being and access to services.

In addition to the presentation of the study findings, the event also featured the screening of the original short animated film “Care Packages”, presented by its author, Alexander Kurilov.

“Every child is a unique value for society and deserves to grow up in safety, to benefit from affection, education, and conditions conducive to harmonious development. Therefore, it is essential to emphasize that every child matters, and that protecting and supporting children is a shared responsibility—both of the state, through appropriate policies and services, and of parents, through care, involvement, and continuous support,” stated Igor Chișca, Head of the Department for Protection Policies on Child Rights and Families with Children, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.

“Every child left behind has the right to care, safety, and equal opportunities for development. The study ‘The Situation of Children Left Behind’ provides relevant data and a clear picture of the realities faced by families affected by migration, contributing to the development of public policies that are better tailored to their needs. Our role is to analyse these findings and support the implementation of appropriate measures in order to improve the assistance provided to the children and families concerned,” said Violina Donu, Head of Diaspora Relations Bureau.

“There were more than 25,000 children living without both parents due to migration at the beginning of 2024. Behind this figure are individual trajectories—children growing up in the care of grandparents or other relatives, families reorganized around absence, and daily routines shaped by distance,” mentioned Maha Damaj, UNICEF Representative in the Republic of Moldova.

"For IOM, data are the lifeblood of decision-making. When data are timely, disaggregated, high-quality, and ethically collected, they help governments anticipate risks, identify vulnerabilities, and plan sustainable responses. Today is not only about sharing research findings; it is about how we turn evidence into stronger policies and concrete protection measures for children—those who are often the most affected by migration decisions made by adults," said Ester Ruiz de Azua, Chief of Mission of IOM Moldova.

Partners reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that migration policies remain child-centred, evidence-based, and responsive to the needs of families across Moldova.