Save the Children condemns the decision to terminate the provision of mental health care services provided by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) on the island of Nauru.
Save the Children knows from its own experience supporting children and families on Nauru that the uncertainty and isolation they endure has created a beyond desperate situation of deteriorating mental and physical health.
Between 2013 and 2015 Save the Children provided support to children and their families on Nauru. Our child protection staff, teachers and social workers witnessed first-hand the devastating physical and mental impacts of the detention of children.
Save the Children’s Director of Policy and International Programs Mat Tinkler said any reduction in services made Nauru a wholly unsuitable place for children to be detained on Australia’s behalf.
“Save the Children joins MSF in its deep concern for the wellbeing of asylum seeker and refugee children who remain on Nauru,” Mr Tinkler said.
“Save the Children calls for Prime Minister, Scott Morrison to immediately get kids off Nauru by whatever means necessary.
“Despite five years passing by, and many assurances being made, too many children still face uncertain futures in effective detention.
“The Prime Minister must urgently arrange for children and their families to be moved to Australia or an appropriate third country, until an enduring solution can be found.”
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