Amid the reports of the number of refugees and migrants who lost their lives trying to reach Europe, UNICEF issued a press release urging governments to act and provide better protection to refugee and migrant children. UNICEF sites reports estimating around 400 migrant and children arrived to Greece, Italy and Spain in the first two weeks of January only. Despite being one of the most vulnerable groups, many countries do not make a difference between children and adults when it comes to processing their claims.
“Every day, children risk their lives traveling across dangerous waters in freezing conditions with the hope of finding safety and opportunities to build a decent future. A region-wide approach would help prevent these children – many of whom have already experienced exploitation and abuse during their long journeys – from suffering further,” said UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia and Special Coordinator for the Migrant Response in Europe, Ms. Afshan Khan.
UNICEF asks governments to:
- Agree on and adopt a region-wide predictable approach, to avoid situations like the one with the ship rescued by Sea Watch 3 in the Mediterranean that was not allowed to dock in any nearby ports, essentially leaving women and children on the sea waiting for weeks.
- Children should be able to access protection, health and psychosocial support easily and receive fair and timely access to due process
- Children should be prioritized in resettlement pledges and family reunifications procedures should be faster