Charity welcomes MPs' report urging Govt to help child refugees
Save the Childrenresponds to todays International Development Committee report on the Syrian refugee crisis, which raises concerns about child refugees making the journey to Europe alone and supports the charity's call for the UK to resettle 3,000 unaccompanied children.
Commenting on the report, Justin Forsyth, Save the Children’s CEO, said: “We estimate that at least 26,000 unaccompanied children entered Europe last year – children who have risked everything to flee war, persecution and extreme poverty alone. They come from Afghanistan, Syria, Eritrea, Somalia and Iraq, among other places, seeking sanctuary.
“These children need and deserve our help and protection. Left to fend for themselves, lone children are extremely vulnerable along the refugee route. Children report having been beaten, extorted and sexually abused on their journey. Save the Children helps by providing food, warm clothes and psychological care across Europe and the Middle East, but nothing can replace a safe and secure home.
“That is why we welcome the International Development Committee’s urgent call for the Government to accept our proposal and take in up to 3,000 children who have come to Europe without their parents or guardians. Britain has a proud history of helping child refugees and we can play our part now in protecting those affected by the worst humanitarian crisis since World War Two.”
