Child Refugee Crisis

09/25/2015

Take your work seriously, but never yourself.
Margot Fonteyn (1919 – 1991), Prima Ballerina

The world has been following the horrific refugee crisis. A UNICEF document, "Refugee and Migrant Crisis in Europe," reports "a total of 110,000 children sought asylum between January and July — an average of over 18,000 children every month.... Most children have undertaken perilous journeys, exposed to the elements and the threat of smugglers. Children tell us they are exhausted and have trouble sleeping. Young children are confused about where they are going."

ExchangeEveryDay invited Pia Britto, chief of the Early Childhood Development Section at UNICEF, to comment about the crisis. Her response:

"Executive Director of UNICEF, Mr. Anthony Lake, issued a statement on September 3, 2015 regarding the refugee crises in Europe, which embodies the ethos of the mission of UNICEF. Mr. Lake said in his statement, 'Shock must be matched by action.' The shock that Mr. Lake referred to is of the images of thousands of children and their families seeking refuge and safety across the border from Syria; the action Mr. Lake expects is one that puts the welfare of children at the forefront of all of the humanitarian support provided to the refugees. This situation can cause significant harm to the developing bodies and minds of young children.

"We know that early development is impacted by both positive and negative experiences. We also know that 80% of the brain develops in the first 3 years of the child's life. In the context of the recent refugee crises, children are being exposed to toxic stress, which could negatively impact their brain development and potentially thwart them from developing to their optimal capacity. Therefore, it is vital that humanitarian aid for refuges focuses on supporting families with young children to provide a secure and safe environment for their children during these critical times."

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