Supporting Children in Crisis: A Lifeline for Vulnerable Youths 대한민국은 2021년 기준으로 1인당 국민소득이 3만 5000달러가 넘는 고소득 국가다. 하지만 이런 풍요 속에서도 우리 사회는 여전히 사회적, 경제적 양극화가 심하다. 소득 수준에 따른 주거 환경의 격차도 매우 크다. In 2021, Korea's per capita national income exceeded $35,000, categorizing it as a high-income country. However, despite this prosperity, the country still grapples with significant social and economic polarization. The disparity in living conditions based on income levels is particularly pronounced. 주거 환경이 열악한 저소득 가정에서 자란 아이들은 신체적, 정서적으로 어려움을 겪을 가능성이 크다. 실제로 2020년 한국보건사회연구원의 조사에 따르면, 주거 환경이 열악한 가정에서 자란 아이들은 정상적인 가정 환경에서 자란 아이들보다 인지 발달과 사회성 발달이 늦었다. Children raised in low-income households with poor living conditions are more likely to face physical and emotional challenges. A 2020 study by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs found that children from such households lagged behind their peers from more stable home environments in cognitive and social development. 이에 서울시는 2019년부터 ‘위기아동지원사업’을 통해 위기 아동을 발굴하고, 건강하게 성장할 수 있도록 지원하고 있다. In response, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has been operating the "Child Support Project" since 2019 to identify and support children in crisis, helping them grow up healthy. ‘위기아동지원사업’은 서울시 25개 전 자치구에서 사례관리 대상 아동을 상시 발굴하고 있다. The project is active in all 25 districts of Seoul, continuously identifying children who require case management. 사례관리 대상 아동으로 선정되면, 서울시와 자치구가 1:1로 아동을 전담하는 ‘아동통합사례관리사’가 각 가정을 방문해 상담과 사례관리를 한다. Once a child is selected for case management, a dedicated "Integrated Child Case Manager" from the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the respective district government conducts interviews and case management through home visits. 이를 통해 아동의 욕구를 파악하고, 필요에 따라 맞춤형 서비스를 연계해준다. Through this process, the child's needs are assessed, and customized services are provided as needed. 지원하는 서비스는 아동의 기본적인 생활 지원부터 시작해, 학습, 정서, 건강, 주거환경 개선까지 매우 다양하다. The services range from basic living support to education, emotional support, health services, and improvements in living conditions. 특히 서울시는 지난해부터 ‘서울형 아이돌봄’을 통해, 양육자의 일시적인 부재로 긴급하게 아이를 돌봐야 하는 가정에 24시간 긴급 아이돌봄서비스를 제공하고 있다. Notably, since last year, Seoul has introduced "Seoul-type Childcare," offering a 24/7 emergency childcare service for families in need of urgent childcare due to temporary absence of caregivers. 또한, 올해 7월부터는 서울시 전 자치구에서 ‘아동학대예방사업’도 함께 추진한다. Additionally, from July this year, all 25 districts in Seoul will also implement "Child Abuse Prevention Projects." 위기아동지원사업은 2019년 3000여 명에서 2022년 1만 1000여 명으로 지원 대상을 확대해 왔다. The number of children supported through this project has grown from approximately 3,000 in 2019 to over 11,000 in 2022. 서울시는 앞으로도 위기아동지원사업을 통해 더 많은 아이들이 건강하게 성장할 수 있도록 지원할 계획이다. Moving forward, the Seoul Metropolitan Government aims to continue supporting more children through the Child Support Project, ensuring they grow up healthy.

In a heart-wrenching turn of events, a child brought to the hospital due to flu-like symptoms received an unexpected diagnosis of a life-threatening condition called ventricular septal defect. This rare heart defect, where holes form between the two lower chambers of the heart, required immediate medical intervention to prevent further deterioration of health and developmental issues.

The Save The Children organization swiftly stepped in, providing urgent medical support to ensure the child received timely surgery, ensuring the child's growth was not hampered.

Similarly, a family dealing with the sudden loss of their breadwinner faced immense grief and struggled to maintain their daily routine. The emotional toll took its toll, leaving the caregiver overwhelmed with sadness and lethargy. The living conditions had deteriorated, with the house left neglected and the overall environment becoming unsafe for the child.

Despite the community's efforts to clean and dispose of waste, the situation remained poor due to lingering pollution and outdated systems. Save The Children stepped in to address these issues, replacing damaged materials and repairing the boiler pipes, thus creating a safe and stable living environment for the child.

Another case involved a family facing financial hardship during a period of economic downturn. A promising student aiming for an art high school lost the opportunity to prepare for the entrance examination due to the inability to afford tuition. Save The Children stepped in to provide financial and educational support, enabling the student to continue their preparations and ultimately secure admission to their dream school.

While various welfare systems are in place to protect children in times of crisis, not all children receive the necessary support. Factors such as exceeding the eligibility criteria or waiting for bureaucratic procedures to be completed can leave children without timely assistance. Save The Children's 'Emergency Child Support Program' aims to bridge this welfare gap, providing quick and tailored assistance to children in crisis situations.

The program covers a wide range of needs, including medical, financial, educational, and housing support, tailored to the specific circumstances of each child and family.

The program's unique selling point lies in its flexibility and customization, taking into account the child's and family's unique situation to provide the most relevant assistance. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all support, the program assesses each case individually, addressing the root causes of the crisis. This includes medical, living, educational, and welfare needs, adapting to seasonal and social changes, such as providing baby supplies, agricultural support for rural children, and emergency aid for families affected by natural disasters.

Since its inception in 2010, the 'Emergency Child Support Program' has supported 1,5676 children, providing crucial help last year alone to 2476 children across various sectors. The program not only offers economic assistance but also follows up with case management, regular assessments, psychological support, and connections to local community services to ensure long-term recovery.

The satisfaction rate among supported families is high, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 in recent satisfaction surveys. Parents have expressed gratitude, feeling a sense of warmth and encouragement, support during critical times, and a renewed sense of hope for their children's future. Save The Children remains committed to providing continuous support to help children return to a normal life after facing adversity.