Approximately 3,500 children have died in the central Mediterranean over the past 10 years

Approximately 3,500 children have died or disappeared attempting to cross the Central Mediterranean migration route to Italy over the past 10 years, according to the latest estimates from UNICEF. This is the equivalent of one child losing their life every day for a decade.

Around seven in 10 children make this journey without a parent or legal guardian, meaning that most children who died or disappeared along this route were travelling alone. Their journeys can be particularly harrowing. Survey data found more than half of children and young people report experiencing physical violence, and a third report being held in a location against their will.

Many of the children attempting to cross the Central Mediterranean route are fleeing war, conflict, violence and poverty, which continue to drive displacement and force them to seek safety and opportunities elsewhere.

“Ten years ago, a shipwreck off the coast of Italy killed more than 1,000 people and sent shockwaves across the region,” said Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia and Special Coordinator for the Refugee and Migrant response in Europe.

“Governments must protect the rights and best interests of children in line with their obligations under national and international law. The rights enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child do not stop at borders or shores – they travel with children as they cross.”

At least 20,803 people have died or disappeared in the central Mediterranean over the past 10 years. Many shipwrecks on this perilous migration route from North Africa leave no survivors or go unrecorded – making the true number of people dying or disappearing practically impossible to verify and likely much higher.

The vast majority of those who died or go missing are never identified, so information about their profiles is even harder to come by or verify.

UNICEF reiterates that while the adoption of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum may result in a more organized system for managing migration, it must be implemented in full alignment with legal obligations to uphold the best interests of children.

UNICEF calls for enhanced, child-sensitive search and rescue operations to prevent deaths at sea. Upon arrival, every child must be provided with immediate legal representation and robust safeguards. Restrictions on movement should never result in a child being detained in an immigration facility – whether during screening, border, asylum or return procedures.

UNICEF is supporting countries in strengthening national child protection, social protection and migration and asylum systems to ensure children are safe as they move. UNICEF is also working with countries to provide support and inclusive services to all children, regardless of their or their parents’ legal status.

In Italy, UNICEF is working with the Government and other partners to provide children and women with access to psychosocial support, health and specialized services for those at risk of violence, exploitation and abuse.