In times of pandemic and global health crisis, it is important to remember the most vulnerable – and often invisible – young children and their families.

The Roma population is the largest minority in Europe. Eighty percent are children and families at risk of poverty, who live without adequate housing, in crowded and unhealthy formal settlements or precarious informal slums, many of them without access to electricity, running and drinking water and sewerage. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated challenges that many Roma communities face.

Alongside, the Romani Early Years Network (REYN), we urge European leaders and country leaders to provide every child with the proper conditions to ensure protection and support in all aspects of life.