Migrant children left to their own fate in Europe

Over 200, 000 unaccompanied minors who sought asylum in Europe over the past five years are at risk of exploitation and abuse, according to a new report by Save the Children. In the report Protection Beyond Reach, the NGO said many of these children struggle to gain refugee status and live in fear of being deported or detained and are unable to be reunited with family members living elsewhere in Europe.

According to the report, more than 700 children, including babies, perished at sea trying to reach European shores over the past five years.

Meanwhile thousands of children remain stranded on the Greek islands while some European countries have closed their borders in response to a surge in migrant arrivals as well as the coronavirus pandemic. Many children suffer from nightmares and other symptoms of trauma and depression, including self-harm. The NGO underlines the fact that thousands of migrant children have been left to uncertain fates in Europe.

According to the new report, most of the unaccompanied minors are from Central Asia and the Horn of Africa.

TMP – 18/09/2020

Photo credit: Shutterstock.com/ Sanja Vrzic. Photo caption: Children in transit refugee/migrant camp at the Greek-North Macedonian border.