Seeking Sanctuary says: 'Let the children in...'

Children in the Jungle are missing their education, have no childhood. image: ICN

Following the recent court case in Boulogne when a British citizen was acquitted after an attempt to smuggle a four year old girl through border controls, Seeking Sanctuary is urging a humanitarian response to the problem of young children being left to fend for themselves in the 'jungles' in and near Calais. The say in a statement: "We support the campaign and ask all the faith communities and other organisations with which we are in touch to lobby to allow into Britain up to three thousand vulnerable minors currently in Europe who have already experienced the trauma of war and genocide, in many cases leaving them without their parents.

"We ask that particular attention be paid to the unaccompanied children and young people currently living in the hideous conditions of the French 'jungles' who have close relatives in Britain prepared to take responsibility for them. So far there has been no direct and obvious administrative process within the current asylum and immigration system to allow them into Britain.

"We are heartened by the recent decision of the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal allowing young people who have started asylum applications in France to come directly to the UK and ask to be reunited with relatives. We ask that the UKBA now acts to identify children and young people in this situation and, in conjunction with the French authorities, establish their needs. Just as we provided refuge for Jewish children fleeing the Nazi regime 80 years ago, let us follow in that tradition and provide a future here for the children and young people whose lives have been traumatised at such an early age."

About 'Seeking Sanctuary'. There are currently some 6000 migrants in Calais (December 2015) and more nearby. 'Seeking Sanctuary' aims to raise awareness about this situation and is organising basic humanitarian assistance through Faith Communities and Community Organisations in partnership with experienced aid agencies such as 'Secours Catholique'.

For further information on how you or your organisation can help, contact Ben Bano on 07887 651117 or Phil Kerton on 01474 873802. To check the latest news, visit: www.seekingsanctuary.weebly.com.