The government has opened the opportunity to temporarily foster children under state custody.

The Ministry of Social and Family Development today said that those who wish to temporarily foster children under state care can now register by calling 1433.

Sharing more information on the matter a televised program on PSM News, the ministry's Senior Legal Counsel Aishath Ifada said yesterday that children growing up under the care of the state are growing up with the most basic needs of life.

Child Protection Coordinator Fazza Fuwad said many children are taken into state custody every year for various reasons. She said children are taken into state custody after checking whether there is anyone in the family who can take care of the child.

The state takes into custody children who have no one to look after them in their families and no safe environment for them, Fazza said. However, the state is also looking into whether there is another way to send the children back to their families.

There are two situations in which children are assigned to foster care. That is being placed in foster care with legal guardianship until they turn 18 years old and being placed in foster care until their family circumstances change and they can return to their families.

In addition, those applying for foster care do not have to be married couples, she said, adding that single mothers or fathers or even newlyweds can apply for fostering children in state custody if they have the means.