Child Refugee Crisis

In 2015 the number of refugees taking the dangerous boat journey across the Mediterranean to find safety shot up. As of mid-November more than 647,000 refugees and migrants have arrived in Greece using the dangerous sea route from Turkey. More than one-fifth of these have been children. The children that make it across have often had harrowing experiences before leaving home or have suffered violence and exploitation in transit. In addition to the distress caused by the fear of the boat journey, children are also now having to deal with cold winter weather, which is making the sea crossing even more risky and putting them at risk of getting hypothermia. Save the Children is providing essential child protection services in Greece to child refugees and migrants along their travel route, from their points of arrival on the islands of Lesvos, Chios and Samos and then later on in the route in transit camps along the way.

Save the Children is supporting children and families in Greece upon arrival on the Greek islands of Lesvos, Chios and Samos and at the border of Greece and FYR of Macedonia in Idomeni. We are doing various Child Protection activities to support children and give them a sense of normality on their journey.

Through our local partner organization we carry out individual identification and follow-up of children at risk. We support cases of reunification of children with their families who are accidentally separated, provide legal support and information for children who have arrived alone, in addition to psychosocial support. We also ensure that families with children who are at risk are received at a reception center for vulnerable people. We are currently working to set up temporary housing for the most vulnerable children who have arrived without their families in Lesvos to provide a safe and comfortable place for them to stay until they are transferred to the mainland.

Save the Children would like to thank all of our supporters, donors and partners that helped us reach the most in need children around the world.

Links:

• SavetheChildren/refugee-crisis