HCM City has asked 21 districts and Thủ Đức City to take care of children whose parents and close relatives have died of COVID-19. VNA/VNS Photo by Hồng Giang

HCM CITY — The HCM City Department of Justice on Friday issued a policy about the future care of children whose parents and close relatives have died of COVID-19.

Under the policy, ward-level People’s Committees in 21 districts and Thủ Đức City have been asked to provide care and guardianship assistance to children in their localities.

If they cannot find guardians for the children, the local authority will be in charge of caring for the children.

Local authorities are also responsible for managing children’s inheritances left by the father, mother or relatives if the heirs or custodians cannot be identified.

If the legitimate heirs request their inheritance, local authorities will give it to them per the regulations of the 2005 Civil Code.

According to the city, more than 1,500 children have no guardians to take care of them because they have lost their parents and close relatives due to COVID-19.

Võ Văn Hoan, deputy chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, has asked the 21 districts and Thủ Đức City to make a list of the orphans in their localities.

He also asked local authorities to plan long-term policies for different groups of orphans.

The groups include children whose relatives are capable of taking care of them, those who will be sent to shelters managed by 21 districts and Thủ Đức City, and those who will receive support from other organisations and individuals.

The list and proposal should be sent to the city People’s Committee by September 25. — VNS