Provides data, backed up by statistical tables, about unaccompanied and separated children (UAMs/SC) seeking asylum in Europe. Data reported by government agencies was compiled by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). In some instances data are not uniformly comparable because of country-to-country differences in definitions, such as the age limit for UAMs/SC, and in recording practices. The report indicates that in 2000, more than 16,000 UAMs/SC applied for asylum in 26 European countries, with the largest number of asylum claims logged by the Netherlands, followed by the United Kingdom and Hungary. Analysis of the data also revealed that the main countries of origin of UAMs/SC differ significantly from the leading countries of origin of asylum-seekers in general; and that certain nationalities seemed to gravitate to certain countries when applying for asylum. Even though a limited number of countries provided sometimes less than accurate information on the age and sex of UAMs/SC, analysis suggested that most of these asylum seekers were 16- or 17- year old males. The report concludes that the gaps in basic information will hinder efforts to address the special needs of UAMs/SC.
