UK to take in refugee children separated from families in 'exceptional cases'

Britain will take in refugee children who have become separated from their families in Syria and other conflicts, the British government has announced as quoted ITV news reported.

No figure has been put on how many children will be accepted, but the UK will work with the UN to identify "exceptional cases" where vulnerable children would benefit from protection.

The scheme will only apply to children still in conflict zones and not those who have already reached Europe, as officials do not want to encourage more people to attempt the dangerous sea crossing.

A fund of up to £10 million will also be set up by the Department for International Development to help refugee and migrant children in Europe.

"The vast majority are better off staying in the region so they can be reunited with surviving family members. So we have asked the UNHCR to identify the exceptional cases where a child's best interests are served by resettlement to the UK and help us to bring them here," British Immigration Minister James Brokenshire said.

Tim Farron, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, has criticized David Cameron for refusing to take in vulnerable child refugees stuck in European refugee camps.

He said the Prime Minister’s pledge to help some children in “exceptional” circumstances was not enough.

The response to the humanitarian crisis was “not very human”, he told Good Morning Britain.

Source: MENA