UNHCR, UNICEF Launch Blue Dot Hubs to Boost Protection for Children and Families on the Move across Europe
NEW YORK (February 26, 2016) – As part of a joint endeavor to step up protection for the growing numbers of children and others with specific needs arriving in Europe, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and UNICEF are setting up special support centers for children and families along the most frequently used migration routes in Europe.
Twenty Child and Family Support Hubs, to be known as “Blue Dots,” will provide a safe space for children and their families, vital services, play, protection and counseling in a single location. The hubs aim to support vulnerable families on the move, especially the many unaccompanied or separated children at risk of sickness, trauma, violence, exploitation and trafficking.
While the situation continues to evolve, at present the first hubs are now operational or about to open in Greece, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia. All 20 will be operational within the next three months.
The “Blue Dot” hubs come at a time when women and children account for two thirds of those crossing to Europe: In February, women and children made up nearly 60 percent of sea arrivals compared to 27 percent in September 2015. They will also aim to identify and protect children and adolescents traveling alone, and reunite them with family wherever possible, depending on their best interests.
“We are concerned about the welfare of unaccompanied and unprotected boys and girls on the move across Europe, many of whom have experienced war and hardship in making these journeys alone,” said UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Protection Volker Türk. “The hubs will play a key role in identifying these children and providing the protection they need in an unfamiliar environment, where they may be at risk,” he added.
“The lives of children on the move have been turned upside down, they’ve faced turmoil and distress every step of the way. The hubs will offer a level of predictability, certainty, and safety in their uncertain lives, a place where they can get the help and support that is every child’s right. And they will contribute to stronger national child protection systems,” said Marie-Pierre Poirier, UNICEF’s Special Co-ordinator for the Refugee and Migrant Crisis in Europe.
But identifying children in need is challenging. In some countries, young travelers pretend to be adults to avoid being delayed or detained on their journey, exposing them to the risk of exploitation. Last year, more than 90,000 unaccompanied or separated children registered and applied for asylum or were in care in Europe, mostly in Germany and Sweden.
The Child and Family Support Hubs will be clearly identifiable and provide a standardized and consistent basic package of services provided by different organizations, including National Red Cross Societies and NGO partners. However they do not replace the responsibility and obligation of the states to do all they can to support and protect unaccompanied and separated children and to prevent sexual and gender-based violence.
The hubs will be located in selected strategic sites - border entry/exit points, registration sites, some strategic urban centers - as well as through mobile/outreach teams. The services include:
- restoring family links - services provided by the Red Cross and Red Crescent network;
- family reunification;
- child friendly space and dedicated mother and baby/toddler spaces;
- private rooms for counseling;
- psychosocial first aid; legal counseling;
- safe spaces for women and children to sleep;
- outreach social workers;
- information desk with Wi-Fi connectivity.
Download a map of the Blue Dots
Photos and videos for broadcast are available here: http://uni.cf/1Ob9UKV
About UNHCR
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, was established on December 14, 1950 by the UN General Assembly. UNHCR is mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees, but also has a mandate to help people without nationalities. For more than six decades, UNHCR has helped tens of millions of people restart their lives. Today, a staff of some 9,700 people in 126 countries are helping some 60 million people. Learn more at www.unhcr.org and Facebook and Twitter.
About UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian aid organization, by providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when no children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.
For more information, contact:
Sophie Aziakou, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, 917.720.1397, saziakou@unicefusa.org