Seventeen-year-old Ikram shared with CBC via text message that she is once again without a place to stay in Ceuta. Previously, she had briefly found refuge with a family after enduring weeks of sleeping in various makeshift locations. Ikram left her hometown of Fnideq in Morocco in July, along with a large group of Moroccans and migrants aiming to enter Ceuta, viewing it as a potential gateway to Europe for a better life.
Many who attempted to cross into Ceuta during the surge quickly returned to Morocco, but around 5,000 individuals, according to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, remain in Ceuta. Among them are numerous unaccompanied minors, like Ikram, living in precarious conditions.
According to Save the Children Spain specialist Jennifer Zuppiroli, the official count of minors in Ceuta is 2,500, but the actual number could be significantly higher. The Spanish Minister for Youth and Children, Sira Rego, highlighted that many of these minors are under 13 years old, with approximately 700 being girls.
Most of the minors in Ceuta hail from Morocco, although there are also minors from other countries, particularly from sub-Saharan Africa. Family reunification is a priority, but the challenges of returning these minors to their home countries under international law are complex.
Ikram’s journey to Ceuta was unplanned, spurred by a friend’s suggestion during a mass crossing attempt. She faced perilous conditions at the border, witnessing fatalities and nearly losing her own life before being rescued by a boy. Despite the harsh realities in Ceuta, Ikram remains determined to stay and build a future to support her family.
The situation in Ceuta is dire for both unaccompanied minors and families who lack stable housing. Tensions have escalated, with reports of violence against migrants by authorities and civilians. Many migrants, like Abdo, have faced numerous challenges and dangers in their quest for a better life, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and protection in Ceuta.