Miniila

Miniila

Children have said that one of the things they lack the most while on the move is access to information that they trust. There is a large group of children on the move in Europe who fall outside of the protection system and lack access to services, support and information to remain safe. Often what they do have, however, is a smartphone.

Missing Children Europe wants to use this crucial bit of technology to give children access to child friendly, up to date and accessible information on their rights, procedures and the available support wherever they are. The app will empower children to make the right decision and be better protected, rather than trust those who profit from their vulnerability while on the move in Europe.

The app is specifically tailored to the needs of unaccompanied children on the move, with a focus on facilitating access to understandable information about dedicated services such as shelter, food banks, and health services in the area they are in. The app also connects them easily to the 116 000 missing children hotline and the 116 111 child helpline, as well as information on the rights of children in the EU and on relevant procedures, such as procedures for international protection and family reunification.

Migrant mother and her one-year-old baby gain access to lifechanging support in Greece thanks to Miniila

When children and young migrants are not provided with information on the available support  during their journey, it puts them at risk of homelessness, starvation, and exploitation, especially  with the current pandemic. Without easily accessible, child-friendly and up-to-date information, children and families face many obstacles in getting the support they need, being it food, shelter  or medical services. Covid-19 adds a strain through unsafe sanitary conditions in crowded camps  and ever-changing conditions to access  those basic needs.  Dariâ* and her one year-old daughter  Alina* unfortunately  knew this too well  before they found  support through the  Miniila app.  

Following the death of her husband, Dariâ left her drug-abusive environment in Iran for Europe.  After a perilous journey through Turkey, Lesbos and Moria camp, mother and daughter eventually  reached Athens, in hope to get some rest, food, and a place to stay while their asylum application  was being treated. Unfortunately, safe shelters and food distribution remain scarce for asylum  seekers on the mainland and Dariâ is faced with the only options of the street or a dirty dormitory. 

Dariâ doesn’t have money to pay rent and any roof is better than the street, or at least so she  believes. But she soon realises that her relief is temporary. Although protective from the  unforeseeable conditions of the street, the place is dirtier than she thought, and alcohol abuse  and violence are the common rule as soon as the night arrives. They lack food, and they urgently  need appropriate clothes and items for her one-year-old daughter.  

In search for help, Dariâ eventually finds out about the Miniila mobile app on Facebook, through  an afghan asylum seekers support page. By scrolling through the app, she finds the free helpline  of the Smile of the Child and directly gets in touch. She is listened to by a Farsi interpreter on the  other end of the line and, shortly after, an outreach worker from the Greek organisation reaches  her and her daughter.  

Dariâ and Alina are provided with food, warm clothes, milk and pampers. They are moved to a  hotel where they can sleep safely, take a shower and wash their clothes. From now on, Dariâ and  her daughter know they can stay in touch with the organisation and get supported to stay safe  meanwhile waiting for their asylum decision. Thanks to Miniila, they also have access to a whole  other range of support, such as legal advice, information on their rights, or fun and educational  activities, with just one click and decent Wi-Fi.

Until today, alone or accompanied, as early as one year’s old or close to adulthood, too many  children are facing the same challenges in meeting their needs, not only in Greece but elsewhere in Europe. Miniila brings information to all children in migration about the support available, helps  them stay safe and empowers them to make the best decisions for themselves. 

“The Smile of the Child brought us new shoes, clothes, milk and pampers for my daughter, and  now we are accommodated in a hotel. This is incredible. This is the first time we feel helped since  we arrived in Greece. This happened thanks to God and to you [the Miniila app]. I believe in God’s  help thanks to your huge and available heart to help others” – Dariâ 

The Miniila app is available in 8 countries and in 5 languages. It features more than 200 organisations and has been downloaded more than 400 times. To ensure children and young  newcomers are welcomed in our society in the most decent way, Miniila will continue working with  local organisations providing support to children and make their services visible. Above all, we all  need to spread the word so that this tool can help more children like Alina in the future. Find more  information on the Miniila website and the Miniila Facebook page. You can also download it from  the App Store and Google Play store. 

Note to Editor: 

Missing Children Europe is the European Federation for Missing and Sexually Exploited Children,  representing 31 grassroot NGOs in 26 European countries. Missing Children Europe coordinates  the network of missing children hotlines available through the 116 000 number. The hotline is  currently active in 31 countries in Europe. 

• Name of project: Amina: safeguarding migrant children across Europe • Country and region(s)/town(s) where the project is implemented: Europe 

• H&M Foundation focus area (Education, Water, Equality, Planet) the project is connected to:  Equality 

• Project period: 2017 - 2020 

• Date when this story was gathered: September 2020 

• Place where this story was gathered: Online, between Greece and Belgium