INTERNATIONAL NGO, TERRE DES HOMMES LAUNCHES PROJECT ON PROTECTION OF MIGRANT CHILDREN IN WEST AFRICA

An International Non-Governmental Organisation, Terre des hommes has launched a project for the protection of migrant children in West Africa.

The project which was financed by European Union was launched at Olumo Hall of Airport Hotels, Ikeja,Lagos with focused on migrant children along the Abidjan-Lagos corridor.

In her welcome speech Head of Country office of Terrre des hommes in Nigeria, Mrs Olapeju Osoba  explained further that,the project was aim to prevent risks linked to child mobility,support children on the move to improve their situation.

Osoba added that,in the same vein,the aim will access the children rights,live better and develop themselves based on their best interest‎,give assistance to children who are victims of trafficking,exploitation and abuse.

She said,the launch will also make the community and institutional environment for children more protective all along their migratory process.

Osoba spoke on the project targets,identifying such as include, 25,000 children affected by mobility, community actors including children,parents and families,state services that intervene in issues of child protection at the community,local media,communiy associations and Non-Governmental Organisations.

She said the target at the national level include;existing child protection networks including children and youth organisation,ministries in charge of child protection,political decision makers,civil society,while at regional level,the target is Ecowas,regional inter-agency child protection and working group.

The Regional Coordinator of the project, Alfred Santos said with its vision 2030,Terre des hommes has opted to focus its attention to impact three priority areas targeting vulnerabilities of children.

He disclosed overall plan of action as include: children concerned by migration,generally in large migratory flows,at the places of origiin,transit and destination,children victims of labour exploitation and children in conflict with the law.

‘The launching of today project today consolidates the institutional strenghening,coordination and articulation between community and institutional child protection system’,he said.

Santos thanked the European Union for the financial support to the project,just as he noted that Terre des hommes has been working in the West Africa Sub region to address issues affecting children.

The National Coordinator of Association of Working Children and Youth Nigeria,a partner organisation,Abiodun Akogbeto in his remark said the implementation of the project will improve the protection of migrant and vulnerable children along Abidjan-Lagos corridor.

‘We therefore implore the institutional and community actors to give the project a priority,as this will help in giving the most needed hope to our children’,he emphasised