11/26/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/26/2021 08:16
Statement by Afshan Khan, Special Coordinator for the Refugee and Migrant Response in Europe
GENEVA, 26 November 2021 - "I am shocked by the news of the recent shipwreck off the French coast, which claimed the lives of at least 27 people, including children and a pregnant woman.
"This tragedy - the deadliest on record along the English Channel - is a stark reminder that urgent collective action is needed to stop the avoidable loss of life at sea and prevent similar events from happening again in the future.
"At least 744 people on the move have lost their lives in Europe since 2014, almost 200 of them in an attempt to cross the Channel[1]. This figure jumps to more than 23,000 if we include deaths recorded in the Mediterranean since 2014[2], including countless children.
"Many of the children and families arriving in Europe flee war and conflict. Others escape poverty, violence, discrimination, and abuse, in search of a safer and better future.
"We, as UNICEF, renew our urgent call to all member states:
"It is deeply concerning how far we are from realizing the rights of children on the move. UNICEF is ready to scale up its efforts with governments, UN organisations and EU institutions to provide urgent humanitarian support and protection to children on the move.
"The death of one child at sea is one too many. We can - and must - work together to protect every child fleeing from conflict, violence, and poverty, everywhere."
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