Member agencies of the United Nations and several non-government organizations organized a two-day conference on Family Strengthening and Alternative Care in sub-Saharan Francophone Africa (10–11 May 2012 in Dakar, Senegal). In preparation for that discussion, this background paper and individual country briefs were commissioned to examine the current status of family support services and alternative care in 18 sub-Saharan Francophone, four Anglophone and two Lusophone African countries (a total of 22 countries). This background paper represents a comparative regional analysis, providing an overview of the current situation and illustrating promising practices, opportunities and challenges. The background paper is a statement (as accurate as possible) of what exists regionally in relation to family support services and alternative care.
©Emma de Vise-Lewis, Alexander Krueger, Guy Thompstone and Padraig Quigley on behalf of UNICEF, Save the Children, the Better Care Network and members of an advisory group.
