Since the start of the year - according to data reported by UNICEF - almost 37,000 refugees and migrants, 13% of whom were minors, reached Italy by sea through the central Mediterranean route - up 42% on the same period last year. Since January, at least 849 people were reported missing at sea. ''It is deeply concerning that vulnerable people, including thousands of children, are risking their lives to reach Europe's shores using this incredibly dangerous route'', said Afshan Khan, UNICEF Regional Director and Special Coordinator for the Refugee and Migrant Crisis in Europe. ''This is further evidence that when safe and legal pathways to migration are cut off, desperate children and families will do whatever they can to flee conflict, poverty and depravation''. During Easter weekend alone, over 8,300 people were rescued at sea between Libya and Italy. UNICEF has developed a six-point action plan for child refugees and migrants: ''1. Protect child refugees and migrants, particularly unaccompanied children, from exploitation and violence. 2. End the detention of children seeking refugee status or migrating. 3. Keep families together as the best way to protect children and give children legal status.4. Keep all refugee and migrant children learning and give them access to health and other quality services.5. Press for action on the underlying causes of large-scale movements of refugees and migrants.6. Promote measures to combat xenophobia, discrimination and marginalization in countries of transit and destination''.

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