CRI听力:Latest Deaths Expose Plight of China's "Left-behind" Children

The four children, one older brother and three younger sisters, were living by themselves without any guardian taking care of them.

Both parents had gone to Guangdong to search for work in different cities, making the four siblings "left-behind children."

The eldest son received money each month on a bank card his father gave him.

The local government had also provided the family with a minimum living allowance since 2012, and more than 3,500 yuan was left on the bank card.

Local authorities in Bijie city have also found 500 kg of stored corn and 25 kg of preserved meat inside their home afterwards.

Dai Derun, a local official says what the children really needs is supervision.

"They basically don't have family members' care. Their parents didn't provide them enough care or love, and their grandparents are not around either. The kids end up being introverted and eccentric, hardly communicating with any of their neighbors. "

It is not yet clear how the tragedy happened and police still have not been able to get in touch with either parent.

China has at least 60 million children in rural areas who are left with relatives, usually grandparents.

According to a 2013 report released by the All-China Women's Federation, nearly 2 million of them live alone.

Wang Zhenyao, head of the China Philanthropy Research Institution Beijing Normal University, says the government should make an effort to set up a system to improve and secure the treatment and welfare of left-behind children.

"It is not yet clear by law in our country about who's responsible for these left-behind children. We don't know who should be taking care of them under what kind of system or mechanism. To any local government, simple policy making is far from enough. Without money, specialized facility, or professional staff, left-behind children's welfare won't be properly protected."

The government of Bijie City's Qixingguan District, which administers the village, has started a survey of "left-behind" children and asked education department, schools and village to keep a close eye on those children to prevent similar tragedies.

The "left-behind" children fall easy victim to such tragedies, victims of trafficking and suicide.

What's more, Wang Zhenyao from the China Philanthropy Research Institution says these children are more prone to psychological problems.

"According to my experience and years of study, what children need more is psychological care. They need us to watch out for their mental health by providing more love and care."

Media reports also revealed that the oldest sibling from the tragedy in Guizhou has also suffered from domestic violence from his father.

For CRI, I'm Niu Honglin.