In December 2024, staff from the Office of the Commissioner for Children’s Rights worked in the Republic of Mari El. The inspection team visited 20 institutions and organisations in the region, reviewed children’s personal files, and communicated with parents and specialists.
During a meeting with Head of the region Yury Zaitsev, Maria Lvova-Belova noted that the republic had growth areas and recommended establishing a council to assess grounds for placing children with residential institutions. She also encouraged the regional authorities to take measures to reorient children’s institutions towards and to adopt family-oriented approaches.
The Commissioner also held an expanded meeting with top officials from the region’s social orphanhood prevention system and met with heads of regional social service organisations providing round-the-clock care for children.
Maria Lvova-Belova discussed family support-related matters with Metropolitan Ioann of Yoshkar-Ola and Mari El. The both of them held a personal reception for citizens at the Zhuravushka Social Rehabilitation Centre for Minors. The Commissioner promised to help a large family whose head participates in the special military operation. Metropolitan Ioann will take this family under his patronage.
Additionally, the Commissioner visited the Lyulpany Centre for Orphans and Children Left Without Parental Care and met with the parents facing challenging life circumstances.