PARIS (Web Desk) – In an unexpected turn of events, the French government has reportedly refused to provide shelter to children living alone in Calais camp despite international push.
Unaccompanied child migrants living in the Calais ‘Jungle’ camp are likely to go missing or risk being trafficked as France is mulling to raze the camps, UNICEF has warned.“Before the bulldozers arrive, there must be robust plans to safeguard the hundreds of unaccompanied children currently stranded in the camp,” UNICEF UK deputy executive director Lily Caprani said.
“Before the bulldozers arrive, there must be robust plans to safeguard the hundreds of unaccompanied children currently stranded in the camp,” UNICEF UK deputy executive director Lily Caprani said.
Earlier, President François Hollande announced that the refugee camp would be shut down and so asylum seekers moved to official centres around the country but the problem still persists as the children are vulnerable to traffickers who could lure the innocent souls for personal motives.
The international human rights organizations are compelling France to shelve a plan with United Kingdom to solve the ongoing crises pertaining to children residing in camps who can be united with their families in UK.
On the other hand, Anne Longfield, the children’s commissioner for England stressed the need for proper planning so that children remain harmless and do not disappear from the radar of the agencies.
When parts of the camp were demolished earlier this year, 129 children went missing. “We know that papers were destroyed and homes were torn down, support networks ripped up,” Longfield said.
Taking aim at the French authorities she went on to put forth the dangers looming over the future of children.
“I do feel angry with the French for not protecting the children that are there, It is horrific. Children are clearly at immense risk both if they stay in the camp, at risk from traffickers, and are exposed to immense dangers if they try to get on a train or a lorry” she said.
According to Josie Naughton, the co-founder of an organization monitoring the situation disclosed that as many as 1022 children were residing inside Calais camp, on the outskirts of the northern French port town.
Although both France and UK agreed to thrash out a plan for a suitable alternative still, the issue seems unresolved at large.
