Switzerland to implement several social development projects in Moldova

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has approved four additional projects to be implemented in 2007-2008. These are aimed to provide assistance to the most deprived segments of the population, as well as to support the efforts of the Moldovan Government in implementing the Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EGPRS) and in achieving the Millennium Development Goals. In March 2007, SDC in partnership with the Ministry of Health launched the “Support for Mental Health Reform Project”. The project focuses on the Occupational Therapy component of the ongoing Mental Health Reform. It aims to introduce adequate occupational therapy services on all levels of the mental healthcare system. The beneficiaries of the project are two psychiatric hospitals, five psycho-neurological institutions (including two in Transnistria), and three community mental health centres. Also, SDC announced it will continue to co-finance the UNICEF Moldova programme “Ensuring Survival, Care and Development of Young Children in Moldova through Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI)” The SDC “Rehabilitation of Social Institutions Programme” aims to improve the living and sanitary conditions in social institutions. In 2007 the beneficiaries of the programme will be the Bender Psycho-Neurological Institution for Women, the Rusca Prison for Women, and the Ungheni Boarding School. These institutions will be rehabilitated in partnership with Transnistrian health authorities, Ministry of Justice (Department of Penitentiary Institutions) and Ministry of Education, respectively. The fourth programme aims to implement decentralised sustainable water and sanitation systems in rural areas. The programme is co-financed by the Austrian Development Agency. SDC also announces that the Deputy Director-General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Remo Gautschi will visit between April 18-21some of the projects financed and/or implemented by SDC in Moldova. Among them: a community centre for mental health care and a boarding school in Ungheni, a maternity in Calarasi, a savings-and-credit association in Costesti, a rural water and sanitation project, a psycho-neurological institution in Bender, the SOMEC vocational education and training project, and the Institute for Mother-and-Child in Chisinau. Also Grautschi will meet with Zinaida Greceanii, First Deputy Prime Minister, Ion Ababii, Minister of Health and with donor representatives in Moldova. Switzerland has supported Moldova's transition through humanitarian aid and technical assistance projects since 2000. The Swiss Cooperation Office in Chisinau is responsible for coordinating these efforts. It is run by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), part of the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two main SDC cooperation areas for 2006-2008 in Moldova are Employment and Income, and Social Development.