merrion street

Eleven lone children of the migrant crisis are undergoing assessment for an
opportunity to restart their lives in Ireland, the Minister for Children
and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone has confirmed in an address to the
United Nations Security Council.

Minister Zappone told the Council that the children are split from their
loved ones by war, terror and human trafficking and will join 30 other
children from the former ‘jungle’ camp in Calais already welcomed into the
country.

The Minister was contributing to a debate on Children in Armed Conflict.

Speaking at the Security Council Minister Zappone said:

“Ireland’s Humanitarian Assistance Policy recognises that children are
often disproportionately affected by conflict.  Children are always the
most vulnerable to the effects of malnutrition and disease.

But other risks that threaten the wellbeing of children include separation
from families or other caregivers; recruitment into armed forces or groups;
economic exploitation; physical or sexual abuse; gender-based violence; and
psychological distress.

Warlords, criminals and thugs have placed them in the frontline.

Ireland shares deep concern about children separated from their loved ones
by war, terror and human smuggling.

A year ago I instructed our Child and Family Agency Tusla to establish a
National Project Office to assist children living alone in the former
“jungle camp” at the French port of Calais.  We are now assisting 30-young
people who have fled conflicts in Africa and Asia to restart their lives in
Ireland.

I can confirm today that Tusla teams will in the next two weeks meet and
assess another 11 children for arrival into Ireland.  We have built the
capacity to do so and I am determined that we will play a strong role in
assisting, supporting and protecting separated children.

The protection of women and girls from gender-based violence and sexual
exploitation and abuse in crisis and conflict situations is a priority for
Ireland.  As chair of the Commission on the Status of Women this year and
next, Ireland will embed the Women, Peace and Security agenda across its
work.”