The United Nations reported Friday that 289 children died in the first half of 2023 while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe.
The total is more than double what was recorded in the first six months of 2022, according to UNICEF, which asked for expanded safe, legal, and accessible paths for children to seek protection in Europe.
According to Verena Knaus, UNICEF’s global director on migration and displacement, the true estimates are likely to be higher because many shipwrecks in the central Mediterranean leave no survivors or go unrecorded.
“The number of children who died attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe has more than doubled in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year”, she said.
“We estimate 11,600 children crossed in the first six months of this year – nearly twice as many as in the same period in 2022”, she continued.
According to UNICEF, almost 3,300 children were registered as alone or separated in the first three months of 2023, accounting for 71% of all children arriving in Europe via the central Mediterranean route.
The figure is three times greater than in the same period the previous year.
“These children must understand that they are not alone. World leaders must act urgently to demonstrate the undeniable value of children’s lives, moving beyond condolences to the steadfast pursuit of effective solutions”, Knaus added.
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