UNICEF warns 1.5 million kids fleeing Ukraine at risk of trafficking and exploitation
CBSN
The United Nations Children's Fund says the threat of child trafficking and exploitation is "real and growing" as more than 1.5 million kids have fled Ukraine following Russia's attacks. According to the agency, a child becomes a refugee of the war nearly every second.
"The war in Ukraine is leading to massive displacement and refugee flows — conditions that could lead to a significant spike in human trafficking and an acute child protection crisis," UNICEF's Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia said in a statement Saturday.
Between February 24 and March 17, more than 500 unaccompanied children were identified crossing from Ukraine into Romania, but the amount of separated children fleeing is probably much higher, UNICEF reported. The United Nations said more than 3 million people in total had fled Ukraine within 20 days.
