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UNICEF UK response to confirmation of Calais camp demolition
UNICEF UK has responded to the news that the French president, François Hollande, has said the migrant camp in Calais must be fully dismantled by the end of the year.
Lily Caprani, Unicef UK’s Deputy Executive Director, said:
“For refugee children who left their homes fleeing conflict and persecution, the pending demolition of the camp threatens their hopes of reaching their families in the UK. It is now more urgent than ever for our Government to get these children to safety.
“Before the bulldozers arrive, there must be robust plans to safeguard the hundreds of unaccompanied children currently stranded in the camp. If mistakes from the first eviction are repeated, we will see more children going missing, falling prey to traffickers and facing the winter without a home. The UK must work with the French authorities to get children into appropriate accommodation, where they can have access to care and legal support so they can reach their families safely.“The public have told us loud and clear that they want this issue to be addressed quickly so we urge the Home Secretary to take immediate action to reunite these children with their families.”
About UNICEF
Unicef is the world’s leading organisation for children, promoting the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
Unicef UK raises funds to protect children in danger, transform their lives and build a safer world for tomorrow’s children. As a registered charity we raise funds through donations from individuals, organisations and companies and we lobby and campaign to keep children safe. Unicef UK also runs programmes in schools, hospitals and with local authorities in the UK. For more information please visit unicef.org.uk
For further information, please contact:
Greg Jones, UNICEF UK, gregj@unicef.org.uk, 020 7375 6067
Emily Poyser, UNICEF UK, emilyp@unicef.org.uk, 020 7375 6154
