Nearly 50 million children in the world are refugees, migrants or without a home, the United Nations Children’s agency reported.
UNICEF said 28 million children have fled violence or conflict, according to a written report. The agency called the situation “a growing crisis.”
Last year, almost half of all children registered as refugees came from two countries: Syria and Afghanistan.
But UNICEF said this crisis affects children from all parts of the world. The UNICEF report mentioned that Central America, Asia and Africa also have refugees who are children.
The report notes that when and if children reach their final stops, the threats they face often do not disappear. Those threats include sex trafficking, criminal gangs and smuggling. Children continue to need help and protection.
UN summit
World leaders gather in New York for the annual U.N. General Assembly later this month. There will be two separate meetings on migration and refugees.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will host the first meeting. U.S. President Barack Obama will host the second meeting.
UNICEF said it hopes the summits will be committed to children.
The UNICEF report called for addressing the root causes of migration and refugees. The agency said conflict, violence and extreme poverty are the root causes.
The report also urges measures to stop xenophobia and discrimination against refugees. And, it introduced measures to prevent the abuse of children on the move.
Words in This Story
gang – n. a group of young people who do illegal things together and who often fight against other gangs
smuggling – v. to move someone or something from one country into another illegally and secretly
xenophobia – n. fear or hatred of strangers or foreigners
migrants - n. people who move from one place to another, often for economic reasons
mentioned - v. noted
annual - adj. yearly; taking place once a year
committed - v. to decide to use or do something for a reason
host - v. to lead or chair an event