August 03, 2006	Thursday	Rajab 7, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 2: Save the Children UK (SCUK) on Wednesday expressed concern over the future of orphans in the earthquake hit Kashmir.

In a statement, SCUK said that for many children who lost one or both parents in the South Asian earthquake, it remained undecided where they were going to spend the rest of their lives, in an institution or within a family.

It said immediately after the earthquake, the people of Pakistan showed immense solidarity with those whose lives were ripped apart, particularly in providing care and protection to children who had lost parent(s) or became separated from them.

Extended families often sheltered and cared for children. Nevertheless, a variety of institutions sprung up claiming to care for orphaned children.

SCUK said that ten months on, it was time to reinvigorate efforts to get children out of institutions and ensure they got the proper family care they needed. Institutional care should be the last resort and for the shortest period of time, used only when absolutely necessary.

Salma Jafar, Children Protection Director at Save the Children, warned, “Children who are being taken in by these institutions are at risk of getting stuck there for their entire childhood.

Moreover, there is social stigma and psychological damage which is irreparable.”