More than half of the children escaping into Europe, as revealed in a report by Save the Children, express feelings of danger during their challenging journeys. The report, titled “Hope and Harm,” discloses that 56% of children from Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, who participated in the survey, reported feeling endangered during their journey to Europe. Shockingly, encounters with people smugglers, border officials, and police are major contributors to these feelings, with three in four migrant children attributing their sense of danger to the authorities.
REGIONAL DISPARITIES: UKRAINE VS. OTHER COUNTRIES
Surprisingly, only 18% of refugee children from Ukraine expressed feelings of danger during their journeys to other European countries. However, their challenges are different, focusing on issues such as bullying, a decline in confidence, and missing their fathers in their host countries.
TESTIMONIES OF ABUSE: AFGHANISTAN, SYRIA, AND BEYOND
Children from war-torn countries like Afghanistan and Syria reported distressing experiences of being beaten and threatened by border officials. Some even described sleeping in harsh conditions, like forests and mountains. One child from Greece shared a harrowing incident of police brutality, emphasizing the urgent need for improved protection.
MIXED FEELINGS: SAFETY AMIDST MISTREATMENT
Despite facing mistreatment during their journeys, many surveyed children expressed feeling safer in their host countries than back home. One child articulated the relief of being away from conflict zones, stating, “no bombs, no rockets.”
EU PACT ON MIGRATION AND ASYLUM: A CONTROVERSIAL STAND
Save the Children criticizes the new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, highlighting concerns that it may exacerbate the violation of children’s rights. The legislation, set to finalize early this year, raises apprehensions about the potential detention and restricted freedom of movement for irregularly arriving children, hindering their access to essential services.
CHILDREN ON THE MOVE: IGNORING LESSONS FROM UKRAINE
Tory Clawson, Save the Children’s Migration & Displacement Initiative Director, condemns the mistreatment faced by refugee children. Clawson stresses that children on the move must be treated with dignity, emphasizing their essential rights to protection, education, and quality health support. The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, according to Clawson, is turning a blind eye to the lessons learned from the welcoming approach to refugees from Ukraine.
UKRAINIAN REFUGEES: CHANGING DYNAMICS OF WELCOME
Refugees from Ukraine, benefiting from a relatively straightforward journey to European host countries, face a shifting welcome over time. The article explores the challenges faced by Ukrainian children, including increased discrimination, bullying, schooling issues, and a decline in confidence. Testimonies reveal the changing attitudes toward those speaking Ukrainian or Russian, highlighting the need for continued support and understanding.
URGENT CALL FOR CHANGE
As the EU leaders finalize the migration pact, the plight of migrant children demands immediate attention. The revelations from Save the Children’s report underscore the urgent need for policies that prioritize the well-being and rights of these vulnerable individuals. The international community must take collective action to ensure a safer and more compassionate future for those on the perilous road to Europe.
WHAR ARE THE CHALLENGES FACED?
Access to Services: A Steep Uphill Climb
Migrant children often grapple with barriers to accessing essential services, including education, healthcare, and stable family environments. The challenges extend to housing and employment, creating a daunting scenario that hampers their integration into their new communities.
Exploitation: A Harrowing Reality The spectre of exploitation looms large over migrant children, as they find themselves vulnerable to forced labour, early marriages, and human trafficking. The article explores the harsh realities of their plight, with a focus on the violence and exploitation that can become a grim part of their migration experience.
EDUCATIONAL WOES: NAVIGATING A COMPLEX LANDSCAPE
Language barriers, compliance issues, and an unsuitable learning environment pose significant hurdles for migrant children seeking an education. Moreover, the social dynamics within schools may lead to their exclusion by peers, exacerbating the challenges they face in adapting to their new academic environment.
PSYCHOSOCIAL STRUGGLES: THE TOLL ON THOSE LEFT BEHIND
Children left behind by migrating caretakers grapple with a host of issues, including disruptions in education, health, and psychosocial well-being. Deteriorating academic performance, lower school attendance, and an increased risk of drug abuse paint a distressing picture of the consequences faced by these children.
Mental Health: The Fragility of Refugee Children’s Minds
Refugee children, in particular, bear the heavy burden of compromised mental health and the haunting spectre of “lost” childhoods. The article explores the psychological toll of displacement, examining the long-term impact on their well-being and the urgent need for targeted support to address these mental health challenges.
