Migrant children and their families are enduring days without food or water in makeshift shelters across Ceuta, Spain’s North African enclave, following the largest migrant surge the territory has ever recorded.
Local aid workers described scenes of severe deprivation as hundreds of people, many of them minors, remain camped in overcrowded conditions with little access to basic sanitation. The influx, which began over the weekend, has overwhelmed local authorities and humanitarian groups alike.
Spanish officials said more than 8,000 migrants entered Ceuta in a single day, a figure that dwarfs previous arrivals. The majority are Moroccan nationals, but the group also includes sub-Saharan Africans and Syrians. Many crossed by swimming along the coast or scaling the border fence, according to eyewitness accounts.
Ceuta’s infrastructure, built for a population of around 85,000, is buckling under the pressure. Makeshift camps have sprung up in parks, abandoned buildings, and along the seafront. Aid agencies report that food supplies ran out within the first 48 hours.
“We are seeing children who have not eaten for three days,” said María González, a volunteer with a local charity. “They are dehydrated and exhausted. This is a humanitarian emergency.”
The Spanish government has deployed additional police and military personnel to the enclave, but critics say the response has been slow and inadequate. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska defended the government’s actions, stating that “all resources are being mobilized to address this unprecedented situation.”
However, opposition parties and human rights groups have called for a more coordinated approach. Amnesty International urged Spain to prioritize the protection of unaccompanied minors, who are particularly vulnerable to exploitation and illness.
“The priority must be the safety and well-being of children,” said a spokesperson for the organization. “They should not be left to fend for themselves in these conditions.”
The crisis has also strained relations between Spain and Morocco. Madrid has accused Rabat of not doing enough to prevent the crossings, while Moroccan officials have denied any deliberate policy to allow migrants through. Some analysts suggest the surge may be linked to a diplomatic dispute over Western Sahara, but this has not been confirmed.
Meanwhile, the European Union has offered financial and logistical support. The European Commission said it is in contact with Spanish authorities and stands ready to assist.
Despite the official response, local residents have taken matters into their own hands. Community kitchens have been set up, and volunteers are distributing water, bread, and clothing. “We cannot just watch children suffer,” said one resident who wished to remain anonymous. “The government is too slow, so we help as best we can.”
The situation remains fluid. Many migrants are refusing to leave the enclave, demanding passage to mainland Spain or asylum. Others have been bused to reception centers, but capacity is limited.
Doctors on the ground report cases of malnutrition, dehydration, and skin infections. The psychological toll is also evident, with many children showing signs of trauma.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is expected to visit Ceuta in the coming days. He has promised a “humane and orderly” response, but the scale of the challenge is immense. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has called for urgent international solidarity.
For now, the makeshift shelters remain crowded, and the wait for food continues. As one aid worker put it, “Every hour matters. These children cannot wait much longer.”
