In the early 1990s, it emerged that tens of thousands of children were living in terrible conditions in state-run orphanages following the collapse of communism. The scandal prompted an international outcry and relief effort. Charities were set up to provide support, recruit volunteers to help in orphanages and in some cases arrange for children to be adopted by those in wealthier countries.
The crisis had arisen because anti-abortion and contraception laws introduced under the dictatorship of Nicolae Ceausescu saw a population rise as economic hardship deepened.
Many of the orphanages were closed resulting in children made homeless and living rough. Despite this, the number of children in care rose from 47,000 in 1990 to 87,000 in 2000, according to official data. Around 60 per cent of children in care were in orphanages.
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