Refugee children vulnerable in plummeting temperatures

(Vatican Radio) Thousands of refugees making the perilous journey into Europe and who are currently in Macedonia and Serbia are at risk of hypothermia and pneumonia as temperatures have plunged to as low as -17C°.

Children are amongst those most vulnerable and the aid organization “Save the Children” is warning of a humanitarian emergency as thousands of refugee families and unaccompanied minors from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq continue to attempt to crossing into the European Union every day.

Linda Bordoni spoke to Save the Children’s Valentina Bollenback:

Bollenback is currently stationed in Presevo on the Serbian border with Macedonia. She says that “the situation is absolutely dreadful”.

“Refugees are having to walk two kilometers across a field on an icy path with temperatures dropping as low as – 17°C, day and night” she says.

She says that amongst those on the move are many families with small babies.

“I saw a mother having to blow heat from her mouth with her breath onto her baby’s face because the baby’s lips were blue. This is a terrible humanitarian situation” she says.

Bollenback says “Save the Children” is running a night shelter in Presevo just up the road from the registration center where mothers and babies, and children who are travelling alone can stay the night.

“The center is open during the coldest hours. It is equipped with 20 beds and air mattresses. People who come to the center are given food, hot drinks, coats, jumpers, hats, scarves, winter-proof shoes and they are also given support” she says.

She says there is also a place where children can play: “it is important to remember that these are just innocent children. They come into the center and they run to the table which is full of colouring books”.

Bollenback points out that there are a lot of children, under the age of 18, travelling by themselves and they are extremely vulnerable.

“They are vulnerable to multiple forms of exploitation and to abuses. It is extremely important that European governments do their part in making sure that these children are protected” she says.

Bollenback says minors account for some 30% to 40% of the refugees crossing the borders – and of those she says – we are seeing between 1,000 and 2,000 people every day.

She speaks of the resilience of the children which is admirable but also of their fear in the current situation and of their hope to be able to build a future for themselves.