The figure recorded in the first six months of 2023 is likely to be an underestimate, the UNICEF says.

At least 289 children are known to have died at sea in the first six months of this year while attempting to reach Europe, according to the United Nations children agency (UNICEF).

The figure is nearly double the number recorded in the first half of 2022, the UNICEF said on Friday, adding that the children made the perilous journeys across the Mediterranean Sea driven by conflict and climate change.

Verena Knaus, the UNICEF’s global lead on migration and displacement, said the true figures were likely to be higher as many shipwrecks on the Central Mediterranean leave no survivors or go unrecorded.

  • tryagain
    12·
    1 year ago

    Good news! It’s only going to get worse and worse.

  • itsfreepizza@kbin.social
    71·
    1 year ago

    Verena Knaus, the UNICEF’s global lead on migration and displacement, said the true figures were likely to be higher as many shipwrecks on the Central Mediterranean leave no survivors or go unrecorded.

    now thats even more concerning

  • KuroJ@lemmy.world
    42·
    1 year ago

    From the article,

    “Along the way, they can be exposed to detention, deprivation, torture, trafficking, violence, exploitation and rape.”

    Jesus, this is depressing. I only hope there is something that can be done in order for these children to reach their destination safely.

    No child should ever have to endure this.

    • eliasp@feddit.de
      32·
      1 year ago

      What can be done is to stop electing neo-liberal/right-wing/conservative politicians in the EU, so Frontex can be turned upside-down to do the job it’s needed for - helping people at our borders, instead of actively or passively killing them!