’We cannot stand by and watch another of Europe’s shores become a burial ground for children’

 “Reports of six children and a pregnant mother being among 12 people who drowned in the English Channel yesterday are an unacceptable tragedy. We cannot stand by and watch another of Europe’s shores become a burial ground for children.

“There need to be safe, legal and accessible pathways for children to seek protection and reunite with family members. This means expanding opportunities to access family reunification in countries of origin or transit, refugee resettlement or other humanitarian visas - in greater numbers than are currently available.

“At the same time, coordinated search and rescue operations at sea, safe disembarkation, community-based reception, and access to asylum services are essential to preventing these entirely preventable deaths of children at sea.

“Around 1 in 5 people arriving irregularly in the UK are children. It is our collective responsibility and legal obligation to ensure their safety and their rights, are upheld.”

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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.