Winter: UNICEF expresses concern over the health of children on the move

Photos and videos are available for download here

GENEVA, Jan. 19, 2016 /CNW/ - Children arriving into a harsh winter in southeastern Europe are physically exhausted, scared, distressed and often in need of medical assistance, UNICEF warned.

The recent sub-zero temperatures and sometimes snowy conditions are exacerbating the children's poor physical condition as many children on the move do not have adequate clothing, or access to age-appropriate nutrition. This has been worsened by the lack of shelter and inadequate heating in some reception centres as well as on buses and trains.

UNICEF said the issue was pressing as the proportion of children amongst refugees and migrants – now more than one in three – has continued to increase. According to national sources, in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the ratio was 37 per cent in December, compared to 23 per cent in September, while in Serbia, 36 per cent were children in December compared to 27 per cent in September. In December, most children transiting through UNICEF child-friendly spaces in Serbia were young children, including babies and infants and those between five to nine years old.

One in four refugees and migrants crossing the Mediterranean in 2015 were children

In 2015, more than one million refugees and migrants crossed the Mediterranean, arriving on Europe's shores, of which an estimated 253,700 – or one in four – were children. 

UNICEF's Special Coordinator for the Refugee and Migrant Crisis in Europe, Marie-Pierre Poirier said that children are particularly susceptible to respiratory infections, digestive problems and diarrhea. Non-controlled use of baby formula may also seriously affect babies' health.

UNICEF warned that there remains insufficient cross-border information-sharing and follow-up on the most vulnerable children, mainly due to the speed of the population movement.

Ms. Poirier said UNICEF was engaging with its partners and counterparts to develop contingency plans for population movement slow-downs and an increasing number of people being stranded along the route.

UNICEF responds to crisis with winterization efforts

In the past three months, UNICEF and its partners have provided 81,000 children with services in UNICEF-supported, winterized child-friendly spaces in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Croatia. In addition, nearly 18,000 babies and infants have received specialized services through UNICEF mother-and-baby care spaces. 

In the past month, UNICEF has distributed 13,500 items of winter clothing, blankets, changing mats and baby carriers. In Croatia, 6,000 children received winter gear and a similar number were supplied in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, while in Serbia, nearly 8,000 children received winter essentials.

Over the same period:

• In the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 11,651 women, of whom 803 were pregnant, were assisted. 394 women and 495 children were referred to health services in the last half of December.
• In Serbia, 2,802 babies were breastfed and/or received age-appropriate food, and 1,508 mothers were provided with counselling and support on child health and nutrition.
• In Croatia, more than 1,200 babies and infants were attended at the mother-and-baby space, and 352 mothers were provided with breastfeeding support.

About UNICEF

UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization. We work tirelessly to help children and their families, doing whatever it takes to ensure children survive. We provide children with healthcare and immunization, clean water, nutrition and food security, education, emergency relief and more.

UNICEF is supported entirely by voluntary donations and helps children regardless of race, religion or politics. As part of the UN, we are active in over 190 countries - more than any other organization. Our determination and our reach are unparalleled. Because nowhere is too far to go to help a child survive. For more information about UNICEF, please visit www.unicef.ca. For updates, follow us on Twitter and Facebook or visit unicef.ca.

SOURCE UNICEF Canada

Image with caption: "A girl covered in a heavy blanket stands outside a tent at the Vinojug reception centre for refugees and migrants in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Heavy rain and near freezing conditions are challenging the refugees and aid organizations providing them with warm winter clothing and supplies. ©UNICEF/UN03023/Gilbertson VII Photo (CNW Group/UNICEF Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160119_C7916_PHOTO_EN_601434.jpg

To arrange interviews please contact: Stefanie Carmichael, UNICEF Canada, 416-482-6552 ext. 8866, 647-500-4230 (mobile), [email protected]