The figures are alarming and are rising sharply, according to the UN organization responsible for children. That’s an average of eleven dead children every week.
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At least 289 children have already perished this year trying to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe. Unicef is sounding the alarm: the number of children who have lost their lives while crossing the Mediterranean has doubled compared to last year.
According to Verena Knaus, head of UNICEF’s immigration program, several factors explain this upward trend. ” Due to the conflicts in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, West Africa, but also in Afghanistan, and the effects of climate and climatic risks, from droughts to heat waves, more and more children are forced to leave their homes. And more and more children are being forced to undertake these high-risk journeys across the sea to reach Europe. “explains the manager.
Most children travel alone
According to UNICEF, more than 11,000 children have crossed the Mediterranean since the beginning of this year, twice as many as last year. And most were traveling alone. “ Children are dying because there are no safe illegal routes. Children are dying because there are no strong search and rescue capabilities deployed to prevent these deaths “, continues Verena Kraus. She accuses the international community of putting up with the deadly risks associated with the immigration of children. “ They die and we decide to close our eyes “, she concludes.
Central Mediterranean migratory maritime route: 289 children are believed to have died or disappeared this year.
UNICEF calls on governments to protect vulnerable children, at sea or in their countries of origin, transit and destination.https://t.co/N3wNOG8s8A
— UNICEF (FR) (@UNICEF_FR) July 14, 2023
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