Save the Children today joined a campaign to pressure Australia’s political leaders to demand all 119 children and their families on Nauru be resettled immediately and by no later than November 20.
The #KidsOffNauru Campaign, driven by a coalition of 30 of Australia’s most prominent humanitarian and refugee-focused NGOs, seeks to put the spotlight back on the children who are still languishing on Nauru.
Save the Children CEO Paul Ronalds said every child deserved a happy, free and certain future.
“Save the Children has serious concerns about the wellbeing of children who remain on Nauru,” Mr Ronalds said.
“The harsh living conditions they endure on an island the size of Melbourne Airport has created a situation of deteriorating mental and physical health.”
Children effectively trapped on Nauru have experienced and witnessed unspeakable horrors, including self-harm. They have limited places to safely learn, play and access the support they need to live healthy lives. Save the Children calls on the Australian Government to adhere to its international obligations to ensure these children can grow up in safety and dignity.
“Children on Nauru have been left deeply traumatised by this situation which has been created and continued by the Australian Government,” Mr Ronalds said.
“The situation continues to be morally untenable. We are calling for the Prime Minister to commit to arranging for children be moved with their families to safety – either in Australia or in an appropriate third country until an enduring solution can be found.”
Between 2013 and 2015 Save the Children provided support to children and their families on Nauru.
“As Save the Children demonstrated throughout our time on Nauru, we will never stop advocating for the rights of vulnerable children,” Mr Ronalds said.
“Every child should have the chance to grow, thrive and dream about what they can achieve in the future – but I know first-hand that children on Nauru don’t get to make these plans because their lives are stuck in limbo.”
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