UNICEF praises the intentions and commitments assumed by the Moldovan authorities in reforming the social sector, but considers that it is now time Moldova also undertakes the challenges of implementing and funding these reforms. Ms. Hilde F. Johnson, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, told a news conference held today upon completion of her visit to Moldova, that the reform of the residential child care system has to be implemented correctly, without affecting the personnel of the institutions that will be closed down. The authorities must ensure that the process of transferring the children to families and alternative institutions is efficiently monitored, Hilde F. Johnson said. The official mentioned the importance of integrating disabled children into schools and of creating a national network of well-trained and properly paid social assistants. Although apparently big for Moldova, the costs of the reform are much lower than the expenses for funding residential institutions, Hilde F. Johnson remarked, suggesting that the best solution is to close down all the residential establishments, excepting several, which would take care of very serious cases, including severe mental illnesses. According to her, in Norway, the country she comes from, it took 2 or 5 years for the institutions of this kind to close and another 5 to 10 year for the funds to reach the local levels. The UNICEF official expressed hope that the office of Ombudsman for Children will be created as soon as possible in Moldova, so that the monitoring of reforms and of children’s rights becomes possible. The reform of the residential child care system in Moldova, carried out with the support of UNICEF and the European Union, was launched last year. The authorities hope that by the year 20012 the number of children placed in residential establishments will be taken down to a half. So far, 23 family-type homes have been opened in pilot regions in Moldova.