Europe has seen a sharp increase in refugees since 2015, including unaccompanied and separated refugee children. Many have faced perilous sea journeys to reach Europe. Children and adolescents are in need of special care and protection.

More than 1.3 million people have crossed the Mediterranean to Europe since 2015, creating major humanitarian and resettlement challenges in coastal countries and the Western Balkans. When it comes to children, receiving countries have struggled to provide care, housing and education. In 2015 and 2016, an estimated 30% of asylum-seekers in the European Union were children.

SOS Children's Villages works with other organisations and governments to ensure that child refugees receive care and protection.