The world ‘deliberately ignores’ the deaths of children when crossing the dangerous Mediterranean Sea
This equates to about 11 child deaths each week, “far beyond what we hear in the news headlines,” said Vera Knaus, the agency’s Global Head of Migration and Migration, know. tell journalists attend the biweekly UN humanitarian briefing in Geneva.
“We cannot continue to ignore what is happening – silently watching as nearly 300 children – an entire plane full of children – are dying in the sea between Europe and Africa in just six months. ,” she said.
Death is preventable
Conflict and climate change are forcing more and more children to embark on the perilous journey at sea from North Africa to Europe.
UNICEF An estimated 11,600 children crossed the sea in the first six months of the year – nearly double the same period in 2022.
However, the agency warned that the true number of child casualties could be higher because many shipwrecks in the Central Mediterranean were either unaccounted for or unaccounted for.
Ms Knaus said it appeared the world was “deliberately ignoring what was happening”, given the numbers and silence surrounding many of these preventable deaths.
‘Dying in the world’s inaction’
“Children are dying not just before our eyes; They are dying while we seem to close our eyes. Hundreds of girls and boys are drowning in the world’s inaction,” she said, noting that the Middle Mediterranean is one of the most dangerous migration routes for children.
UNICEF further estimates that many children are crossing the sea without a parent or guardian, with girls traveling alone particularly vulnerable to violence along the way.
In the first three months of the year, 3,300 unaccompanied or separated children arrived in Europe via the Central Mediterranean sea route, accounting for more than 70% of the total.
Strengthen child protection
In response to the escalating crisis, UNICEF is assisting countries to strengthen child protection, social protection and migration and refugee systems. Staff are also working with governments to provide support and inclusion services to all children, regardless of their legal status or those of their parents.
“These deaths are preventable,” Ms. Knaus said. “They are driven as much by emergencies, conflict and complex climate risks that have displaced children from their homes, and by a lack of political and practical action to do what is needed to facilitate access safe asylum and protect children’s rights and lives. no matter where they come from and whatever form of travel they take.”
Saving people at sea
Meanwhile, countries in the region and the European Union (EU) must do more to protect vulnerable children at sea as well as in countries of origin, transit and destination, Ms. speak.
She also stressed the need for safe, legal and accessible pathways for children to seek protection and reunite with their families, through expanding access to family reunification, reunification, and reunification. refugee settlement or other humanitarian visas.
In addition, countries must strengthen coordination in search and rescue operations at sea and ensure the prompt and safe landing of ships.
Ms Knaus said the duty to rescue a boat in distress was a fundamental rule of international maritime law and that pushing back at sea or on land borders was a violation of national, EU and international law.
