Humanitarian aid
Child Migrants Face Violence in Europe as Hunger Grows in Near East and North Africa
Over 31,000 children arrived in Europe last year, many unaccompanied and exposed to abuse, while more than 45 million people in the Near East and North Africa confront crisis‑level hunger amid severe funding shortfalls.
Unaccompanied Children on the Mediterranean
In the twelve months ending in 2025, just over 31,000 minors reached Greece, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria and Malta, a drop of roughly one quarter compared with the previous year. More than 20,000 of those arrivals travelled without a parent or guardian, highlighting the scale of solitary migration. The central Mediterranean corridor, linking Libya and Tunisia to Italy, continues to be a dominant pathway, exposing children to hazardous conditions when regular migration channels are limited.
Violence and Forced Labour Along the Route
A survey of more than 4,600 people aged 15‑24 indicated that almost half experienced physical aggression during their journey. Among respondents, 28 % said they were detained against their will and 17 % reported being compelled to work, with males representing nearly eight in ten of those cases. Testimonies describe passport seizure, beatings and forced labour in Libya, as well as sexual assault and coerced cleaning work in Algeria before reaching Spain. Migration officials stress the need for tighter cooperation between European states and transit nations to dismantle smuggling networks.
Funding Gaps Undermine Food Security in the Near East and North Africa
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization warns that more than 45 million people across the Near East and North Africa are facing crisis‑level hunger or worse. In Sudan, 19.5 million individuals endure high acute food insecurity, yet only about a quarter of the $193 million required for the 2026‑2028 emergency plan has been secured. In Yemen, less than one percent of the $87.9 million needed for the 2027 response is funded. These shortfalls jeopardize essential agricultural inputs such as seeds, livestock and water, risking deeper hunger and prolonged humanitarian needs.