Once through the port of entry, the separated child moves into a new life. It is a challenge to the receiving country to treat these children with the specialised care they need, and fully respect their rights as a child, while at the same time establish exactly where they came from, how old they are, and what to do with them. Even official procedures designed to be humane can do little to alleviate the shock of arrival. The child is thrown precipitately into a foreign culture and language, often with extreme weather and environment change and, simultaneously, must take on adult-like responsibility for its own basic and complex needs. Some teenagers also arrive with very young siblings or relatives to look after.
Separated Somali children
Once through the port of entry, the separated child moves into a new life. It is a challenge to the receiving country to treat these childre...