World Vision UK is urging the public to lend their support for the child refugee crisis. The latest figures suggest that there are over 29 million children all over the world that have been forced to flee their homes. Data from the UNHCR suggest that conflicts taking place in South Sudan, the Central African Republic and Syria have been responsible for the rise. The UN agency reckons that there are now a record breaking 59.5 million people globally that have been displaced, half of those that have been displaced are children.
“Imagine half of the United Kingdom being forced to flee their homes – except they are all children. This is a sobering thought and a wake-up call for world leaders and the international community to step up their efforts to solve political crises and to offer more support to refugee children. Earlier this year, I met refugees in camps near the Syrian border and heard harrowing stories from children who endured experiences that no child ever should. While many have fled to safety, and we can offer some kind of normality, there are millions more who haven’t made it – and who urgently need assistance. We know that children are least to blame in any conflict – yet, tragically, they’re the ones who suffer the most,” Tim Pilkington, World Vision UK Chief Executive, said.
Tolerance is fading
World Vision UK is calling for increased support from the public after reports worryingly revealed that there is less tolerance for Syria and other countries in the Middle East. According to the most recent survey conducted by Islamic Relief, 47 per cent of those that were polled did not belief the UK should offer refuge to people fleeing the fighting in the Middle East.
Refugees have no other options
Johan Eldebo of World Vision says that the world is becoming increasingly more hostile towards refugees. The simple fact of the matter is no one decides they want to be a refugee. They become refugees when there are no other options available and have to flee for their lives. Unfortunately the ongoing crisis has lasted so long the public has become immune to them. Whilst that may be the case, there is no family that feels at home living in refugee camp tents.
Child refugees are on their own
A large proportion of child refugees travel alone, travelling in terrain that is harsh and end up living in giant refugee camps where they have to fight over limited resources with no one to comfort them when they are scared. In advance of World Refugee Day, World Vision is calling on the global community to ensure that child refuges are prioritised. The agency believes such children should have the right to be cared for particularly when they are separated from their families.
