Migrant parents' absence leaves half of Romanian children assuming adult responsibilities, as indicated by Save the Children's caution.
In a heartfelt nationwide awareness campaign titled "Call Them Daily! Connection Beyond Borders," Save the Children Romania is highlighting the impact of regular video calls on the emotional wellbeing of children left behind by parents working abroad. Since launching its dedicated program in 2010, the organisation has provided psychological counseling, educational support, and legal advice to over 16,000 children and 10,500 adults, reaching over 5 million people through media campaigns.
The campaign underscores the importance of maintaining a connection between children and their parents, as statistics show that over 14% of all children, and 20% of teenagers, speak with their parents only once a week or less. A staggering one in three children report regularly assuming adult tasks due to their parents' absence, with nearly half experiencing long-term separation.
Save the Children Romania's data reveals that more than half of these children take on adult roles due to parental absence, facing emotional distress such as sadness, anxiety, and anger. The organisation emphasises that these children remain largely invisible in public policy and calls urgently for dedicated funding and sustainable support mechanisms to ensure their protection and emotional balance.
The campaign includes emotional video spots, real-life stories on social media, and a dedicated platform, copiisinguriacasa.ro, to raise awareness and provide support to children and caregivers. Gabriela Alexandrescu, the Executive President of Save the Children Romania, stated that children affected by economic migration often go unnoticed in public policies and that they deeply feel the absence of their parents, often being forced to take on responsibilities beyond their age.
While NGO efforts such as Save the Children play a leading role in raising awareness and providing emotional support, Romania currently lacks comprehensive public policies or state-led initiatives specifically addressing the social, emotional, and protective needs of children left behind by migrant parents. Save the Children Romania is urging the Romanian government to prioritise children left behind in public policy and to provide urgent funding to support dedicated services for these children.
For more information, please visit Save the Children Romania's website at [irina.marica@our website](mailto:irina.marica@ourwebsite). The campaign encourages migrant parents to maintain regular communication with their children, as it can make a meaningful difference in their lives. Around 10% of the children will travel abroad to visit their parents, and the campaign aims to ensure that every child has the opportunity to maintain a connection with their parents, no matter the distance.
Engaging in regular video calls with children left behind by parents working abroad, as highlighted by the "Call Them Daily! Connection Beyond Borders" campaign, is crucial for nurturing healthy family dynamics and maintaining a positive lifestyle for these children. As statistics show, thesechildren often face emotional distress, and shouldering adult responsibilities, emphasizing the need for education and self-development to help them cope with the challenges of parental absence. Save the Children Romania recommends that the Romanian government prioritizes the creation of comprehensive public policies and state-led initiatives that support these children's social, emotional, and protective needs, opening doors for better relationships and psychological wellbeing for all involved.
