Refugee Children in Cairo: An Invisible 'at Risk' Group in the City
Author(s): A. El-Hilaly A. Schaeffer B. Harrell-Bond
The main idea of the paper is to document the existence and situation of refugee children. The focus of this research is to explore the societal, structural and institutional causes for the invisibility of refugee children. It suggests solutions to their neglect by both receiving states and the international community. The article illustrates different obstacles that impact on the general wellbeing of the child refugee population in Egypt, e.g. problems on arrival with regards to housing, when applying for asylum, linked to family unity, nationality, but also in terms of access to medical services, education and to adequate nutrition. The final part of the article provides some recommendation to state agencies in order to improve services for refugee children in accordance with the CRC.
1. All children have the right to nationality. States should ensure that every child, including refugee children, acquires a nationality and that none are left stateless.
2. Governments should improve co-ordination and institute efficiency measures within its institutions to, for example, make schools more accessible to refugee children and make residency permits less complicated to obtain.
3. Care facilities for unaccompanied minor children should be established.
4. Refugees should be incorporated into all projects that are aimed at benefiting children in the city, whether in the provision of education, youth organisations, sports, or skills training for employment.
5. In order to ensure the rights of refugee children in cities, information campaigns concerning their rights and the obligations of States should be set up as a matter of priority.
6. Immigration officials at ports of entry should be instructed to refer minors who arrive unaccompanied to the appropriate governmental or non-governmental bodies responsible for children so that their protection is guaranteed.