The front page story in The Gleaner yesterday titled 'I want back my children' reported the pleas of a mother for the return of her kids who were taken from her by the Child Development Agency (CDA).

The four children, who are between 11 months and four years old, were put in places of safety because they were living in a community centre which had a partial roof of tarpaulin and plastic. The centre was a hurricane shelter where the family sought refuge after their home was destroyed during Hurricane Dean.

However, the CDA said the children would be returned to their mother once she found suitable accommodation.

While it is understandable why the CDA acted, what about other children who are living in deplorable conditions? Why aren't they being taken to a place of safety?

But that aside, we hope that CDA understands the mother's position in this stressful situation. Remember, she has lost her home, forcing her to live in a shelter, and now her children have been taken from her and will not be returned until she finds a home.

The CDA is acting well within its rights, but we do hope that there are things that have been put in place to help parents like her to get back on track. We hope they realise that suffering not only affects children but the parents too, and sometimes all the parents want is help to improve their situation, thereby improving that of their children.