C4C response: Boy, 16, found washed up in Calais

In response to news that the body of a 16-year-old child trying to reach the UK had been found washed up at the beach in Calais, Clare Moseley, Care4Calais founder, said:

“We are absolutely devastated by the unnecessary death of this child. We can only imagine the fear he felt and our hearts go out to his family.

“These young boys in Calais are our friends. They are fun to be with despite the horrors they have been through. Some are cheeky, some are smart, some like football, some like books. None deserve to be here and none deserve to die alone in the sea.

“This young boy’s death starkly demonstrates the total failure of our government to do anything to help these children who are in such desperate straits. Their failure to implement the Dubs amendment; their failure to negotiate for family reunion. Their failure to do anything for the people here who are simply asking for our help.

“Things need to change. We need a way for people’s asylum claims to be fairly heard without them having to risk their lives. We need this now before someone else dies.”

Image credit: Mélanie Huguet