Belgium Reports 774 Missing Unaccompanied Refugee Children
(MENAFN) In 2024, Belgium recorded the disappearance of 774 unaccompanied refugee minors, with at least 101 of these incidents labeled as particularly distressing, as reported by a news outlet.
The troubling statistics highlight the vulnerability of these children and point to systemic shortcomings in their protection.
An average of approximately 15 unaccompanied minors disappeared each week throughout the year.
Of those who went missing, only 246 have been found, leaving more than 500 children still unaccounted for.
This persistent issue raises serious concerns among officials and humanitarian groups.
The most critical cases involve children younger than 13, those requiring medical attention, or minors last seen in precarious or dangerous situations.
These circumstances underline the extreme risk faced by some of the most defenseless individuals seeking safety in Belgium.
"Children who flee unaccompanied by an adult are extremely vulnerable. The fact that our government cannot even protect these children is a sad failure," stated Green Party MP Matti Vandemaele, who accessed the data.
His remarks emphasize the moral responsibility of the authorities to safeguard these minors.
Vandemaele has called on Belgium’s ministers responsible for asylum and justice to respond swiftly.
His recommendations include the immediate assignment of legal guardians upon arrival and enhancements in accommodation and reception systems to reduce the risk of children disappearing.
Specialists caution that a portion of these children fall victim to human trafficking, exploitation, or are coerced into criminal activity.
Others vanish out of fear, particularly after being denied asylum.
Many disappear before they are formally registered, which significantly hampers the efforts of aid organizations to track and protect them.
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