Highlights
Although overall fewer people crossed through Mediterranean migration routes in 2019 compared to 2018, the proportion of children has increased.
Moreover, September saw a notable spike of sea crossings to both Greece and Italy, where arrivals were respectively 140 and 164 per cent higher than the same period in 2018.Between January and September 2019, over 18,700 children on the move were able to attend UNICEF-supported regular formal and non-formal education classes, while 13,240 were reached with psychosocial support, case management and referral. Over 4,200 unaccompanied children were also supported with community-based care, while close to 4,350 women, girls, boys and men were assisted with GBV prevention and response services.
To respond to the growing needs of children on the move in a context of a deteriorating situation on Greek islands, as well as in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, during the summer UNICEF revised its humanitarian appeal.
It now stands at US$ 29.5 million. UNICEF is urgently seeking US$ 10.5 million to keep children in overcrowded facilities safe from violence and abuse and protect them from the cold winter weather.
Situation in Numbers
82,000 # of arrivals in Europe through Italy, Greece, Spain and Bulgaria in Jan-Sept 2019 (UNHCR, 6 October 2019)
19,800 Estimated # of children among all arrivals through Greece, Italy, Spain and Bulgaria in JanSept 2019. Around a third of them are girls. (UNHCR, 6 October 2019)
43,460 # of estimated children present in Greece, Italy, Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro (UNICEF, September 2019)
11,940 # of unaccompanied and separated children registered in Greece, Italy, Bulgaria, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNICEF, September 2019)
Full report here