Lukashenko: an effective family support system needs to be developed so that assistance goes specifically to children

Through joint efforts of society and the state, an effective system of family support must be developed to ensure that assistance is directed specifically to children. This was stated by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko to journalists during a working trip to the Brest region, as reported by BelTA correspondent.

The question to the head of state concerned a high-profile criminal case and details about the family's lifestyle that emerged during the investigation and court hearing.

Alexander Lukashenko noted that in such situations, the role of society is undoubtedly important; it should not be indifferent to what is happening around and should react and take measures in a timely manner.

According to the President, state support for large families is of great importance for improving the demographic situation in the country. However, the system must be structured in such a way that assistance is targeted – for children. In this regard, control over the targeted use of such assistance should be organized.

"So that the money that the state transfers to children reaches the children. Honestly, I don't know what kind of system this will be. This will not be an easy task, and developing this system will be difficult. But I only know that without you, we will not do it. People on the ground must help us with this. But it must be done," emphasized Alexander Lukashenko.

"The authorities, we must develop such a scheme, a system of behavior, so that we know what kind of family it is. People on the ground know. If, upon receiving information, we saw that they are alcoholics and that they would drink up the benefits they received, then we ourselves would feed these children, clothe them, send them to school, and educate them there," added the President.

The head of state has consistently drawn attention to the need to provide targeted support to children from large families and has demanded that responsible persons take appropriate measures.

Addressing the Belarusian people and parliament on March 31 of this year with a Message, the President stated that among large families, there are those where parents lead an antisocial lifestyle and abuse alcohol. Therefore, it is necessary to fundamentally address the situation at the local level and, first and foremost, protect the interests of children, ensuring that money and state support are spent specifically on them.

"The government and governors need to solve this problem. I have raised this issue with you. If you see that a family is squandering these funds and the money is not reaching the children, make a decision on the spot and provide for the children," emphasized Alexander Lukashenko.

The President demanded that measures be taken to ensure that children, for whom the state pays considerable sums, receive these benefits. "So that these irresponsible parents do not receive this money directly if they do not deserve it," said Alexander Lukashenko. "And society is outraged, who are we paying?"

The issue of parents' use of child benefits was also discussed at a meeting between the President and the leadership of the Council of Ministers on June 22 this year. "We allocate considerable funds to support children, and not only large families," noted the head of state. "Currently, in almost 10,000 families, children are recognized as being in a socially dangerous situation. 10,000 families cannot properly care for their children. Negligent parents simply squander child benefits, and children suffer."

In this regard, Alexander Lukashenko stressed: "The system must be set up clearly – children must not be deprived under any circumstances, and irresponsible parents must be brought to their senses."

As reported by BELTA, this week the court began hearing a high-profile criminal case – parents are accused of the brutal murder of their three-year-old son.

The child had been subjected to violence by his parents practically from birth. He was starving and emaciated. Although the family, being a large one, received corresponding payments, according to the case materials and the defendants' testimonies in court, the money was spent not in the interests of the children, but on alcohol and the parents' antisocial lifestyle.

In January 2023, in the presence of other children, the couple inflicted numerous blows with their hands and feet to the child's head and legs. The toddler died.

Source: belta.by