Urgent call for UK to welcome unaccompanied children after refugee camp fire

The UK government is facing growing pressure to agree to relocate unaccompanied child refugees from the Greek islands after a fire destroyed Moria camp on Lesvos. 

Over 12,000 people living in tents and temporary shelters lost everything when a fire ripped through the camp two nights ago. Amongst those affected are 4,000 children, including over 407 unaccompanied minors.  

Labour Peer Lord Alf Dubs has written to the Home Secretary Priti Patel, urging the government to rapidly organise the transfer of unaccompanied children to safety in the UK.  

Lord Dubs said “The issue of safe and legal route for child refugees has always had cross-party support and after this horrendous fire, the government cannot keep dodging the issue by insisting that children are safe in Europe and don't need sanctuary here.  

“This tragedy shows beyond doubt that children are not safe, and the UK must step up and offer some sanctuary. Whether in a camp on the Greek island, or in northern France, children are at extreme risk and need our help now. Failing to act would be an outrage.” 

The UK government has consistently resisted calls for to take child refugees from Greece but following the fire opposition parties are adding their voices to Lord Dubs’ demands for action, with Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, and politicians from the SNP, Liberal Democrats and Greens amongst those calling for the UK to step up. 

The charity Safe Passage International is supporting calls for the UK to welcome unaccompanied children and is also highlighting cases of people who are stuck on Moria despite having already been approved for transfer to the UK in order to join family members here. 

Stefania Tomasini said "I spoke with our client Ahmed yesterday, he was accepted for family reunion to join his uncle back in May but he's still waiting for the Greek and British governments to arrange his transfer and has turned 18 in the meantime. I have never heard him so upset and worried, he said that even the war in Syria was better than the situation in Moria. The olive grove where he had been sleeping in a tent with six other people was completely destroyed, so he lost everything including all his documents.  

“He is absolutely desperate, with no idea where to go for food or where to sleep. He just wants to be safe with his uncle but despite everything, he says he is lucky because he had his application accepted but all his friends have no hope of getting off Lesvos."