Migrant children risk abuse on streets of Ceuta, aid groups warn

Hundreds of unaccompanied children who arrived in Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta during a mass migrant influx are at risk of abuse and exploitation, aid organizations warned on Thursday. While most of the thousands of migrants who entered the territory have since returned to Morocco, authorities are struggling to accommodate the remaining children, particularly unaccompanied minors who cannot be summarily deported. Jose Miguel Morales, head of the migrant rights group Federacion Sur Acoge, expressed grave concern over the situation. "Every day that passes without a solution and without safe accommodation means leaving these children - especially these girls - exposed to all kinds of abuse," he told Spanish public television. He highlighted that some of the children are as young as 10, with many under 14. Save the Children has called for urgent registration of all minors, emphasizing the heightened risks of violence, trafficking, and exploitation faced by girls. Spanish government figures indicate that around 2,000 migrants remain in Ceuta out of the approximately 70,000 who entered between July 30-31. However, the opposition-run city administration estimates the number of unaccompanied minors alone to be over 1,000. Reporters observed children suffering from limited access to food, water, shelter, and sanitation in the days following the initial surge. Groups of youths were seen gathering in wooded areas and on beaches, with some sleeping on the sand or streets as the territory's reception facilities reached capacity. Many waited outside the closed migrant reception center, highlighting the overwhelming strain on resources.

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Every day that passes without a solution and without safe accommodation means leaving these children - especially these girls - exposed to all kinds of abuse.