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<p>Unaccompanied children in other EU countries should be able to access the support
needed in those countries. The European countries in which they arrive have international
obligations and a duty to provide adequate protection and support to refugees within
their territory.</p><p>We are working closely with UN agencies, NGOs and the Member
States involved to ensure that protection is provided. We will provide further resources
to the European Asylum Support Office to help in border “hotspots” in Greece and Italy
to help identify and register children at risk on first arrival in the EU.</p><p>The
Government remains concerned about the needs of vulnerable children on the move in
Europe and the Balkans, and the needs of those who become stranded along the route.
The UK has therefore increased its aid to refugees and migrants, including children,
in Europe and the Balkans to £46 million, divided among the most affected countries
and including specific support of £2.75 million to UNICEF, which will benefit 27,000
children. In addition, the Department for International Development (DFID) is creating
a new fund of up to £10 million to support the needs of vulnerable refugee and migrant
children in Europe, the Refugee Children Fund for Europe.</p><p>This will include
targeted support to meet the specific needs of unaccompanied and separated children
who face additional risks. The support will be delivered through a range of UN agencies
and NGOs. Unaccompanied children that have a close family link to the UK and claim
asylum in another EU country may be entitled to be transferred to the UK under the
family unity provisions of the Dublin Regulation. We want to ensure we reunite children
with any close family in the UK as quickly and as safely as possible, and we work
closely with EU partners on this issue.</p>
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