The Siem Reap Provincial Administration on March 16 met with UNICEF child protection chief Marianna Garofalo to discuss the implementation of child protection plans and gain a clearer understanding of relevant cooperation and coordination mechanisms between government institutions and development partners at the sub-national level.

At the meeting, she along with USAID and FCF (Family Care First) representatives raised issues mainly focused on communication, coordination, intervention, case management, the provision of protective services for disabled children in residential care institutions, and transitioning youth out of the aforementioned facilities, according to the administration.

You Sophea, deputy governor and head of the Provincial Child Protection Working Group, affirmed that the administration is committed to implementing child protection programmes, in line with national and international laws.

The administration has the national strategic plans, policies, and guidelines in place to protect children’s rights, ensure their best interests, and minimise issues, he said, adding that work involves all relevant government agencies, institutions, and partner organisations, as well as the children and their guardians.

Sophea recapped that the administration set up the current working group in October 2021 and adopted the linked 2023-2025 annual and budget plan, to increase effectiveness in work, specifically in helping victims of gender-based violence, or those who are children or vulnerable.