Some of Australia's leading humanitarian and human rights groups have given the federal government a three-month deadline to get all refugee and asylum seeker children off Nauru.
Under a campaign called "Kids off Nauru", a coalition of more than 30 organisations is lobbying politicians to bring these children and their families to Australia by Universal Children's Day on 20 November.
Organisers say 119 children remain detained on Nauru, some of whom have been there for close to four years.
The CEO of World Vision Claire Rogers said, "these children have been forced to see and endure things that no child should ever see".
"The clock is ticking. This harmful, secretive and dysfunctional system of indefinite detention must end," she said.
In a statement, World Vision said, "the plight of the children on Nauru has largely been hidden from ordinary Australians' eyes as they languish on an island the same size as Melbourne Airport".
A supplied photo from World Vision of Melanie, a three-year-old child on Nauru. Source: World Vision
Kelly Nicholls from the Refugee Council of Australia said there was a deep concern for all those detained offshore, but for children in particular.
"There have been consistent reports of children attempting suicide and self-harm," she said.
There have been consistent reports of children attempting suicide and self-harm. Kelly Nicholls, Refugee Council of Australia
"Worryingly, in recent months, there has been an escalation of reports of children suffering 'resignation syndrome' where they aren't leaving their beds and they've stopping eating, drinking, talking - even going to the toilet."
Oxfam CEO Helen Szoke said Australia needed to ensure people seeking asylum were never again subjected to indefinite detention.
"We are a nation with a strong economy, capacity to resettle a large number of people and a proven history of managing resettlement effectively," she said.
"We can and must do more."
SBS News has contacted the Department of Home Affairs for comment on the campaign and support services offered to refugee and asylum seeker children on Nauru.
The government has previously said that the offshore policy is designed to deter people embarking on treacherous sea journeys.
Labor joins chorus
Labor has also joined the chorus, penning a letter on Monday urging Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton to accept New Zealand's standing offer to resettle 150 refugees.
The island of Nauru is home to a refugee camp - but will also host international delegates. Source: Getty Images
"Labor is seriously concerned by reports regarding the health and welfare of children in the Australian-funded regional processing centre on Nauru," opposition immigration spokesman Shayne Neumann said on Monday.
"If Peter Dutton is too distracted by his leadership ambitions to address his failure to manage Australian-funded regional processing centres or negotiate other third country resettlement options, it's time for Malcolm Turnbull to step in and clean up his minister's mess."
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged 5 to 25).
Additional reporting: Nick Baker
