Romania seeks to help children whose parents work abroad

BUCHAREST, Romania – Romania’s president has met with officials and non-governmental organizations to find ways to help the estimated 300,000 children living in Romania whose parents work broad.

A statement after the meeting ended Thursday called for state institutions and civil society to create “public policies that can support these children and their families.”

Officials called the situation “worrying,” and said some youngsters left behind in Romania could not “access health care and register in the education system,” or obtain other benefits they were entitled to.

The National Statistics Institute says some 2.5 million Romanians work abroad. Many emigrated after Romania joined the European Union in 2007.

President Klaus Iohannis, health and statistics officials and members of non-governmental organizations will meet again in September to discuss their findings.