'We cannot stand by and watch another of Europe’s shores become a burial ground for children'

NEW YORK (September 4, 2024) – “Reports of six children and a pregnant mother being among 12 people who drowned in the English Channel yesterday are an unacceptable tragedy. We cannot stand by and watch another of Europe’s shores become a burial ground for children.

“There need to be safe, legal and accessible pathways for children to seek protection and reunite with family members. This means expanding opportunities to access family reunification in countries of origin or transit, refugee resettlement or other humanitarian visas - in greater numbers than are currently available.

“At the same time, coordinated search and rescue operations at sea, safe disembarkation, community-based reception, and access to asylum services are essential to preventing these entirely preventable deaths of children at sea.

“Around 1 in 5 people arriving irregularly in the UK are children. It is our collective responsibility and legal obligation to ensure their safety and their rights, are upheld.”

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About UNICEF
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to pursue a more equitable world for every child. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, safe water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more.

UNICEF USA advances the global mission of UNICEF by rallying the American public to support the world’s most vulnerable children. Together, we are working toward a world that upholds the rights of all children and helps every child thrive. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

For more information please contact:
Jenna Buraczenski, UNICEF USA, (917) 720-1432, jburaczenski@unicefusa.org