UNICEF Executive Director: “Not Enough to be Shocked by These Images. Shock Must be Matched by Action"

UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake made statement about refugee children and refugee crisis in Europe and said those children don’t have something in their hands about this desperate situation:

 “For the plight of these children is neither by their choice nor within their control. They need protection. They have a right to protection.”

Lake drew attention to the images of refugee children in Turkey and many countries in Europe and called for immediate help:

“Heartbreaking images of children’s bodies washing up on the shores of Europe … lying suffocated in the backs of trucks crossing borders … being passed over barbed wire fences by desperate parents.

“As the migrant and refugee crisis in Europe deepens, these will not be the last shocking images to ricochet around the world on social media, on our televisions screens and on the front pages of our newspapers.

“But it is not enough for the world to be shocked by these images. Shock must be matched by action.

106 thousand children in 6 months

According to UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake:

“At least a quarter of those seeking refuge in Europe are children – in the first six months of this year, more than 106,000 children claimed asylum in Europe.”

Measures be taken

Lake stated:

We urge that the following measures be taken:

* Protect these children through the provision of essential services at all times – including health care, food, emotional support, and education – and adequate shelter for migrants and refugees that keeps families together.

* Deploy adequate numbers of trained child welfare experts to support children and their families.

* Continue search and rescue operations – not only at sea, but also on land, as families move across countries – and make every effort to prevent the abuse and exploitation of migrant and refugee children.

Interests of children

* Put the best interests of children first in all decisions made regarding these children – including in asylum cases. (YY/BD)

 Click here to read the article in Turkish

bianet compiled this news from the website of Unicef.