Deposits under the "Family Capital" program have been opened in Belarus totalling $177.6 million, as reported at a press conference by Marina Artyomenko, Deputy Head of the Department of Demography, Gender and Family Policy of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, according to a BELTA correspondent.
Deposits under the "Family Capital" program have been opened in Belarus totalling $177.6 million, as reported at a press conference by Marina Artyomenko, Deputy Head of the Department of Demography, Gender and Family Policy of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, according to a BELTA correspondent.
As of May 1st this year, 17,760 deposit accounts have been opened at OJSC "ASB Belarusbank", noted the ministry representative.
She recalled that the system of support for large families has been strengthened by the introduction of a new element – family capital. This is a one-time provision of non-cash funds to families in the amount of $10,000 upon the birth or adoption of a third or subsequent child. The program is designed for 5 years, from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2019.
According to the specialist, in 2015, free infant formula was provided to 27.6 thousand children under two years of age, with a total cost of almost Br142 billion (in the first quarter of this year – 13.9 thousand children for Br35.4 billion).
The system of social services for the population is developing with the interests of families and children in mind. Free social services are provided by 146 territorial centres for social services for the population and 2 city centres for social assistance to families and children in Minsk and Gomel. Their structure includes 142 departments for social adaptation and rehabilitation, 115 crisis rooms for temporary accommodation of people in extreme situations, and 156 "hotlines" are in operation.
Over 270,000 families raising children are registered with the centres. Social services for childcare are in demand: while in 2014, 889 families used nanny services, in 2015, this figure rose to 1403 families, and in the first quarter of this year, nanny services were provided to 1349 families.
A strong, cohesive family is the foundation of the state's demographic security, a guarantee of its stability, and confidence in development and prosperity. Therefore, family support is an unconditional national priority, said the ministry representative.