Matters are only getting worse. In September prey on children’s mistrust of authorities 2016, for the first time in months, volunteers in and frustration with the cumbersome legal the camp became concerned by a lack of food processes, persuading them to pay huge and children going hungry6. With no building sums – often getting themselves into debt in materials allowed to enter the camp, and the the process – to be hidden away in the back of French government’s plan to evict and dismantle a lorry. Unaccompanied children have nobody 7 the camp , children are facing the forthcoming looking out for them, and so make perfect winter with uncertainty and no assurance of prey for traffickers. Europol reports that at least adequate shelter to protect them. 10,000 children have already gone missing 10 Lack of adequate healthcare is also a problem, since entering Europe , with reports of missing though voluntary organisations do their best. children not being followed up adequately by We heard from them how camp conditions – authorities. One volunteer told us of phoning poor sanitation, unsafe food and cramped living the police after seeing a child being dragged spaces – mean that illnesses develop and spread away by an adult, seemingly sedated. Another rapidly, an assessment supported by a Médecins told of the limitations to current anti-trafficking 8 measures: “When the anti-trafficking people du Monde report in late 2015 . In addition, come, they are visible; everyone knows and children suffer injuries in their attempts to access crowds around them. It’s impossible to give the Eurotunnel, including infected cuts to their information privately, so it’s hard for people to hands from the barbed wire fence, wounds from speak up.” police rubber bullets, and eye problems caused by police tear gas. It is imperative that children are treated as exactly that: as children first, before asylum seekers or refugees. Their welfare is paramount, and the rights accorded to children under international agreements are universal, irrespective of a child’s immigration status. Recommendations 1. French authorities should make sufficient Photo © T safe accommodation rapidly available to unaccompanied minors who request it – and om Pilston ensure appropriate arrangements for Dublin- eligible children who need to remain in touch with In addition to the lack of adequate food, authorities during their transfer process. sanitation, leisure and education activities, 2. French authorities should ensure enough social children also face severe shortfalls in child workers and other child protection measures are protection. The container accommodation, in place for children once in run by organisation La Vie Active on behalf of safe accommodation. the French government, is only meant to host 3. If the proposed demolitions and evacuations adult men – but children have been admitted of the ‘Jungle’ go ahead, French authorities too. There, they live alongside adults with no must not allow unaccompanied children to be safeguarding in place; children report having left homeless – a reception centre should be set their clothes stolen and being unable to sleep up until safe homes can be found for every child, as the men are up late talking loudly or playing and for those who have a right to be transferred music. Elsewhere in the camp, children also live to the UK, their cases must be expedited. alongside adults, leaving them open to abuse – 4. British and French authorities should provide Unicef has reported instances of forced labour funding for basic food, hygiene, healthcare and 9 and sexual exploitation in the Calais camp . educational needs for children in the camp, The risk of being trafficked or taken advantage in order to meet their responsibilities under of by smugglers is also ever-present. Smugglers international law. 8 https://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/files/Calais_Health_Report.pdf 9 http://www.unicef.org.uk/Media-centre/Press-releases/Sexual-exploitation-trafficking-and-abuse-engulfing-the-lives-of- children-in-the-camps-of-Calais-and-Dunkirk/ 10 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/30/fears-for-missing-child-refugees No place for children 9