The Ministry of Justice and Community Services (MJCS) has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MOIA) to strengthen collaboration and improve services for vulnerable children in Vanuatu.

The agreement was signed by Director General Arthur Faerua of MJCS and Director General Leith Veremaito of MOIA, with a shared commitment to enhancing child protection services. The focus of the MOU is on improving the partnership between the Child Desk under MJCS and the Department of Civil Registry and Identity Management (CRIM) under MOIA.

One of the key goals of this partnership is to integrate the newly developed Child Protection Information Management System with the CRIM system. This integration will ensure that information about children in need of protection is accurate, up-to-date, and easily accessible, improving the management of child protection services provided by the Child Desk.

Director General Arthur Faerua emphasized the importance of the collaboration, stating, “This partnership will allow us to better support vulnerable children by ensuring accurate data is used to track their progress and provide timely interventions.” He expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for their essential role in the initiative.

Director General Leith Veremaito highlighted the vital role of CRIM, saying, “Our department is responsible for providing National ID numbers and other essential personal data for all citizens and residents. By collaborating with the Child Desk, we can better identify and serve children who may need care and protection.” He added that this partnership will play a crucial role in strengthening the country’s child protection efforts.

This MOU marks a significant step toward improving child welfare in the country, with CRIM’s accurate citizen data playing a critical role in providing necessary care and protection for vulnerable children.