news
slide

Eurochild joins Campaign for Relocation of Unaccompanied Children in Greece

Over 1,800 unaccompanied children in the Greek islands are deprived of access to their most basic rights such as shelter, water, food, medical and psycho-social care, as well as education.

For four years, the EU has centered its response to arrivals of people seeking protection on intensified border controls with the aim of preventing arrivals,as well as through mass containment under the EU ‘hotspot approach’.  these centres have morphed into overcrowded campscontaining thousands of people in inhumane conditions.

We, the undersigned organizations, jointly call on the governments of European Union (EU) Member States to immediately commit to the emergency relocation of unaccompanied children from the Greek islands to other European countries, giving precedence to existing family links and the best interests of the child. Action is all the  more urgent in light of the escalating violence on Lesbos and as increased arrivals to the islands could lead to further deterioration of the dangerous conditions in the camps.

While the Greek government needs to ensure it meets its legal obligations towards unaccompanied children,it is time for European leaders to take responsibility in providing these children on EU territory with appropriate care and protection.

Read the full joint call to action

What can Eurochild members do? 

Send a letter or email to the Interior Minister: Our member Refugee Rights Europe have written two draft templates (one for member states who have expressed willingness to relocate, and another one for those states who have not yet expressed the intention to take part). These letters currently exist in English, French, German, Swedish, Spanish, Italian and Dutch.  We can also get the letters translated into additional languages, if/as requested.  Please get in touch with Marta Welander to obtain a copy of the letters.  

Take part in social media engagement to spread the word further in each country. Refugee Rights Europe has prepared a social media toolkit available here for those who are interested. Feel free to translate the messages into their national languages and try to tag key organisations at the national level, to get them to share and be vocal about the campaign as well. 

Engage with supportive Parliamentarians who might be interested in pushing this through their channels as well.  

Encourage the Ombudsperson for Children to make a public statement in support of the proposal. We believe this has already happened in Finland, and that it appeared to have been rather impactful.  

Sign the urgent appeal to EU leaders 




Related News/Events

slide
10 February 2025

Journalism that Safeguards: Be The Voice Against Child Abuse

Eurochild member Hintalovon are offering training for journalists and communication experts Are you passionate about children’s rights and want to better understand how to cover the complex, sensitive issue of child sexual abuse…
read more
slide
29 January 2025

Strengthening Guardianship: Launch of GUIDE National Manuals and Service Provider Maps

Press Release. Brussels, 30/01/2025 – To improve support for unaccompanied children, particularly those with disabilities or at risk of developmental delays, the GUIDE Project’s partners are launching a set of…
read more
slide
15 January 2025

One month after Chido's passage, the emergency aid provided is like a band-aid on a bleeding wound

Eurochild member from Mayotte, Haki Za Wanatsa, shares a message highlighting urgent needs after Cyclone Chido's devastation—see how you can support their efforts in delivering aid to families and children.…
read more