By Own Correspondent
GENEVA — Migrant children in South Africa face risks of violence, trafficking and family separation, UNICEF and the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child warned.
The organisations raised concern about children’s safety in a joint statement.
In particular, they said sudden, undocumented and poorly coordinated movement across African borders could expose children to serious harm.
The statement said migrant children face “violence, exploitation, neglect, family separation, trafficking and psychological distress.”
For that reason, the organisations called on governments to protect every child, regardless of migration status or the circumstances surrounding their arrival.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child guarantee every child protection, care and essential services.
In addition, UNICEF and the committee said African countries share responsibility for protecting children who cross national borders.
To meet that responsibility, governments, child protection authorities and humanitarian organisations should strengthen cross-border cooperation and referral systems.
These systems should provide timely case management, mental health services and psychosocial support.
Authorities should also help children reunite safely with parents or caregivers when migration separates families.
At the same time, migrant children and families need continued access to health care, clean water, sanitation and hygiene services at borders and transit centres.
In particular, the statement said pregnant women, mothers with newborns and other vulnerable people need additional support.
The organisations also urged authorities to help returning children and families secure civil registration and identity documents.
Accordingly, UNICEF and the committee said better documentation could reduce the protection risks facing those families.
Meanwhile, UNICEF said it was mobilising support for governments and partner organisations providing protection and essential services.
Above all, “Children must remain visible and prioritised” throughout migration responses, UNICEF and the committee said.
Finally, the organisations urged governments to place children’s rights and best interests at the centre of migration decisions.
“Children on the move are children first and foremost,” they said.
