SANLIURFA
The number of Turkish foster families has increased nearly by nine time in 15 years, according to new data from the country’s family ministry.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Nusret Soylu, an official from the ministry, said the state had been working to recruit foster parents.
"The number of foster children was 500 in 2000 but this number has now risen to more than 4,300. It means that the number of foster families has increased [approximately] nine-fold in 15 years," Soylu said.
Stating that "social sensitivity has an important role in this achievement," he added: "We want each child to have a family and to grow up without being deprived of love."
Soylu noted that the 'Love Envoys' project – launched by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and First Lady Emine Erdogan in 2013 – had a significant effect on the increase.
"The government can do everything for a child but cannot give the love and affection which only a family can provide," Soylu added.
According to the ministry, Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir have the highest number of foster families in the country.
In the Turkish foster care system, children can only be placed with families that are registered in the same province.
