Respiro Centre for children with disabilities and their parents inaugurated in the Capital

BUCHAREST, 18 April 2024. Bucharest, through the General Directorate of Social Assistance of the Municipality of Bucharest (DGASMB), and UNICEF Romania inaugurated on Thursday a new integrated social services unit for vulnerable children in the Capital. The Respiro Centre for children with disabilities and their families "The Magical Rainbow" will provide free of charge services such as care, supervision, temporary accommodation, counselling, socialization, play and rehabilitation, medical assistance, information, assessment, meals for children with disabilities.

Parents or legal representatives of the children also benefit from the services offered at the Respiro "Magical Rainbow" Centre, as the centre was designed as support for the family, where parents can enjoy the needed respite for their own physical and mental recovery, which is so beneficial for the continued care of children with disabilities, as well as for solving medical or social emergencies.

Free care, education, counselling, habilitation and rehabilitation activities can be provided for a beneficiary for a maximum of 10 working days per year. 120 children can benefit from the center’s services annually.

"Children with disabilities and their families need effective and quality support within the community. The Respiro Magical Rainbow Center has facilities and programs tailored to the needs of the beneficiaries, and is designed to provide them with an enjoyable and stimulating experience. The emotional and psychological support offered to families is essential to improve their well-being, and here parents and caregivers can find understanding from other people facing similar situations and valuable guidance from professionals", said Nicușor Dan, Mayor General of Bucharest.

"For parents caring for a child with a disability, a Respiro centre, like the one opening its doors to beneficiaries today, is a breath of fresh air. Caring for a child with a disability puts a lot of pressure on parents and families, and the lack of appropriate services means more resources consumed than in the case of parents with typical children, more energy required and health problems that can arise due to exhaustion. Through this project, we will be able to provide support to those in need", said Cosmina Simiean, Director General of DGASMB.

The center has generous indoor spaces (recreation and leisure room, dormitories, rooms for physical and mental recovery, dining room, etc.), equipped with furniture and facilities for various types of activities with children, as well as an outdoor courtyard for outdoor recreational activities.

"The sooner children with disabilities get the services they need, close to them in the community, the better. But often they are not diagnosed in time and do not have access to the necessary services. Families need support to cope with higher care and living costs and to make up for lost income-earning opportunities. The Convention on the Rights of the Child gives all children the same rights, regardless of ability. We thank our partners for the work we are doing together, as well as the Government of Switzerland, which has supported this project through the Rapid Response Fund," said Anna Riatti, UNICEF Representative in Romania.