Orphans & Most Vulnerable Children (MVC )

1. Orphans & Most Vulnerable Children (MVC) Donald Charwe, Assistant Commissioner of Social Welfare Department of Social Welfare

2. Outline • Definition • Extent of OVC/ MVC problem • MVC needs • Partners • What has been done so far • Challenges • Recommendations

3. Children V O MVC Who are MVC .

4. How big is the Problem • 10 – 12% of children < 18yr are vulnerable (i.e 2.5 million) (2002 Census) • 5% of these are MVC (btn 950,000 – 1,500,000 children) • 42% of vulnerable children as a result of HIV and AIDS • 53% of MVC are cared for elderly caretakers (60+) (RAAAP, 2004) • 12% of MVC live in child-headed households • Only 1% of these vulnerable children get support from relatives

5. What are the needs of MVC • Food and nutrition • Education and vocational training • Health Services • Shelter and care • Clean and safe water; and environment • Psychosocial support • Security, child protection and participation All these can be interpreted as TENDER LOVING CARE

6. Partners • PMORALG • Line ministries • TACAIDS • TASAF • SATF • Communities • Development partners (UNICEF, ILO, GF, USAID/PEPFAR, Abbott Fund, and others) • IPG (iNGO, local NGO, FBO, CBO)

7. What has been done so far • National strategy for care, support and protection of MVC • National Costed Plan of Action for MVC launched, being rolled out • National guidelines for Identification of MVC • Service provision • Data Management System rolled out to 44 councils • National framework for quality standards of care • Coordination structures (NSC, NTC, MVCC)

8. Total MVC Identified = 450,000 42% of these receive services

9. MVC Line Ministries TACAIDS NSC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS NTC PMO-RALG MOHSW-DSW IPG REGION NGOs FBOs, CBOs Council CMAC/MVCC WARD WMVCC Grant authority Direct reporting copy Sharing VILLAGE MVCC Feedback Liaison MVC data flow chart .

10. Challenges • Inadequate resources to reach more MVC with quality services • Financial and human resources • E.g. the NCPA requires an average of $35,000,000/yr • Providing service to all identified MVC • Ensuring the DMS is functional all levels • Capacity of the community to care for MVC • The capacities of MVCC are weak • Child protection systems are inadequate • Abject poverty

11. Way Forward • Roll out the NCPA • Expand the identification of Most Vulnerable Children and their needs • Strengthen supporting systems • Strengthen the capacities of the families and communities. • Ensure that all councils recruit social welfare officers

12. End Thank you very much for your attention