Child refugee resettlement in the UK

Millions of children worldwide have been forced from their homes by warfare and disaster. At least 300,000 of them are travelling the world’s dangerous migrant routes alone. Some have lost their parents in the conflicts raging in their homelands, others have become separated from their families in the chaos of escape or been sent by parents desperate to save them from becoming the victims of violence.

Without the care and protection of an adult these children are at extreme risk of abuse, trafficking and exploitation. By denying children a safe route of escape the world’s governments are placing them in greater danger and leaving them at the mercy of unscrupulous people smugglers. 

We are calling on the UK Government to protect unaccompanied child refugees by providing safe and regular channels for them to reach safety.

Is the UK doing enough to protect children?

The UK has a proud history of supporting child refugees. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Kindertransport which welcomed 10,000 unaccompanied children fleeing Nazi persecution to our shores.

The world is facing the worst child refugee crisis since WW2, yet the Government has offered sanctuary to fewer than 800 children – less than a quarter of the number they promised two years ago.

We are joining forces with other children’s charities to call on the Government to show compassion for children fleeing conflicts around the world.

Refugee charity Safe Passage has launched a petition urging the Prime Minister Theresa May to offer sanctuary to 10,000 unaccompanied child refugees over the next ten years. This will save children’s lives and protect them from abuse and exploitation, so we are proud to give our backing to this campaign. We have signed the petition and we hope you will too.

Sign the petition