Hundreds of unaccompanied children are at risk of abuse and exploitation as they sleep rough on the streets of Ceuta after taking part in the mass migrant entry into the Spanish territory a week ago, aid groups warned Thursday.
Although most of the crowds of migrants have returned across the border to Morocco, authorities are struggling to find shelter for Moroccan children remaining in the Spanish enclave, who cannot be summarily deported.
Jose Miguel Morales, head of Federacion Sur Acoge, a migrant rights and assistance group based in southern Spain, said some children living on the streets had been beaten and assaulted.
"Every day that passes without a solution and without safe accommodation means leaving these children -- especially these girls -- exposed to all kinds of abuse," he told Spanish public television.
"We are talking about real children -- 10 years old or younger in some cases. Many are under 14."
