Phase-out program for the reintegration of unaccompanied children : final report -- Butare & Ruhengeri Prefectures, Rwanda

Concern implemented the program in line with the policy of the Ministry for Social Affairs (MINAFASO) to close the existing transit centers for unaccompanied children as soon as possible. (As a result of a cabinet reshuffle, MINAFASO inherited responsibility for the project from the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Affairs (MIGEFASO)]. Concern recognizes the risks of institutionalism for children remaining in long-term care in centers. A specific objective was to develop MINAFASO"s capacity to assume greater responsibility in the areas of tracing, fostering, and follow-up and to establish child and family support centers at commune level. Progress was slow in achieving certain objectives, while others were successfully achieved. This arose due to lack of resources available to MINAFASO and to delays in training the social development committees. However, both transit centers previously operated by Concern were closed, with responsibility being passed to other locally run centers. A total of 144 children (40 from the Concern centers and 104 from other centers) were reunited with their original families. In addition, 88 children were placed in foster families. Finally, material assistance was provided to over 300 households and to associations from two communes.