It is estimated that almost twice as many children and young people died as in the same period last year. In reality, however, the numbers are likely to be much higher.
According to the UN, 289 minors died on the refugee routes across the Mediterranean in the first half of the year. That is almost twice as many as in the same period in 2022, said the UN children’s fund Unicef in Geneva.
From January to the end of June last year, at least 150 minors perished on these escape routes. “Chased by conflict and climate change, more and more children are risking their lives by taking the dangerous route across the Mediterranean Sea to Europe,” said Verena Knaus, UNICEF’s migration and displacement officer.
The organization believes the true numbers are higher. Many boats sink with no survivors. The death of the inmates is therefore never registered.
Unicef uses the term “children” to refer to any minor. There is no distinction between children and young people. In Germany, 13-year-olds are still children, from 14 to 18 birthday one speaks of young people.
UNICEF estimates that 11,600 minors were among those fleeing the Mediterranean routes in the first six months of this year, also almost twice as many as last year. Many of them are traveling without parents.
Knaus criticized that too little was being done to save migrants. “Hundreds of girls and boys are dying during this inaction,” she said.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
