EU warns of trafficking threat to children fleeing Ukraine | Inquirer News

EU warns of trafficking threat to children fleeing Ukraine

/ 01:17 PM March 09, 2022

Children trafficking

Children play with hoops in a class room in a school in Perekhrestya, close to the Ukrainian-Hungarian border on March 7, 2022, a refuge for 93 orphaned children evacuated from the Artek children’s camp near Kyiv a few days ago due to the Russian invasion. -AFP

STRASBORG, France — A top EU official warned Tuesday the bloc needs to ensure unaccompanied children fleeing the war in Ukraine do not fall victim to people traffickers.

“We need to be aware that there are people, criminals, that could try to use this situation,” EU home affairs commissioner Ylva Johansson told the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Article continues after this advertisement

“There’s a huge risk of unaccompanied children being victims of trafficking.”

FEATURED STORIES

The United Nations said Tuesday that two million people have now fled Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion less than two weeks ago.

The EU has for the first time triggered its protection mechanism granting the refugees crossing over its border the right to stay and work in the bloc.

Article continues after this advertisement

The vast majority of those arriving are women and children as men are called up for military service.

Article continues after this advertisement

“We need to do more to protect the children,” Johansson said.

Article continues after this advertisement

On Sunday, Slovak police said an 11-year-old Ukrainian boy crossed the border into EU member Slovakia with just a plastic bag, a passport and a telephone number written on his hand.

RELATED STORIES

Article continues after this advertisement

More than two million flee Ukraine in 12 days—UN

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: Latest developments

Channeling Churchill, Ukraine leader vows: ‘We will fight to the end’

Ukraine’s First Lady condemns Kremlin’s ‘mass murder’

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Russian families fall out over clashing views of war in Ukraine

TAGS: Conflict, Russia

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.