The Cabinet of Ministers increased monthly assistance to orphan children from UAH 795 to UAH 1,590 (USD 1 - UAH 5.05), Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko told reporters.

She noted that the step will encourage Ukrainian citizens to adopt orphan children to their families. "We will further continue implementation of a strategic program on reduction of the number of orphan children and homeless children in the country," the Premier stressed.

On March 25, Minister for Families, Youth and Sports Yuriy Pavlenko said there are 1,669 foster families in Ukraine with 2,677 adopted children in, as well as 305 orphan family homes with 1,996 children.