UNICEF announced the rescue of 125 children, including 114 unaccompanied ones, this week at sea off the coast of Libya.
A joint statement by UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Ted Chaiban, UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia and Special Coordinator for Migrant Refugee Response in Europe Afshan Khan said: “The Central Mediterranean is one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world. Since the beginning of the year, at least 350 people, including children and women, have drowned or gone missing in the central Mediterranean while trying to reach Europe, including 130 people last week. ”
The joint statement added, “After their rescue, refugees and migrants languish in overcrowded detention centers in Libya, and live in extremely difficult conditions where water and health services are either limited or non-existent. There are approximately 1,100 children in these centers.”
According to a UNICEF statement, “51,828 migrant children live in Libya, in addition to about 14,572 refugee children, most of whom do not have access to services and are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse within the country. Detainees are also denied access to clean water, electricity, education, health care and other adequate sanitation facilities. In addition to the spread of violence and exploitation”.
UNICEF touched on the Coronavirus crisis, saying: “Despite these risks that have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, refugee and migrant children continue to risk their lives in search of safety and a better life. It is likely that attempts to cross this sea route will increase in the coming summer months.”
UNICEF called on the Libyan authorities to release all children and end immigrants’ detention: “The detention of children in the context of migration is not in the best interest of the child at all. We also call on the European authorities in the central Mediterranean region to support and receive migrants and refugees coming to their shores and to strengthen search and rescue mechanisms.”
UNICEF announced its commitment and its partners to support all governments across the central Mediterranean to find safer alternatives to sea crossing, to develop and implement child-sensitive access procedures and to provide reception, care and long-term solutions for children trying to cross the sea.
