National Preventive Mechanism Facilities for unaccompanied minor refugees and asylum seekers When unaccompanied minors become refugees, they are in an especially difficult situation. This is why the relevant EU Reception Conditions Directive stipulates special regulations for unaccompanied minor refugees and asylum seekers. In accordance with these provisions, the member states are obligated to guarantee special support for all unaccompanied minor refugees and asylum seekers. Minors require special support When the provisions are applied, the welfare of the children and adolescents must have priority. Whenever possible, minors should be placed with relatives or foster families. If this is not possible, they must be cared for in special facilities for minors. Placement with foster families has priority The commissions have visited several such facilities and have been able to identify problem areas. Finding foster families is very difficult in many cases, which is why many unaccompanied minor refugees and asylum seekers are cared for in facilities. The NPM was not able to determine whether adequate steps are being taken by the Laender to find foster families. An improvement of the situation, however, would be desirable and necessary. Another challenge involves siblings. Siblings are often separated and placed in different facilities, especially when older siblings have attained their majority. Older siblings are placed in facilities for adults, while the younger ones must remain in facilities for minors, at least as long as the older siblings have not received custody. Against the backdrop of fleeing their home together, this is very stressful for everyone involved. Siblings should not be separated Commission 2 documented that minors in two facilities in Salzburg were supposed to purchase and prepare their food themselves to promote their independence. They received a budget of EUR 45.50 per week from funds provided under the basic provisions to spend at their discretion. The commission found that the cooking appliances were in very poor condition and there were not enough utensils, such as cutlery, glasses and cups. As a result, many minors ate almost exclusively cheap food that could be cooked easily by someone with no cooking experience. The commission’s criticism did not refer to the approach of getting the minors used to handling their own money. However, the commission called for ensuring that they eat healthy and balanced meals and that they receive guidance and supervision to ensure that they go grocery shopping and cook together and get to know and try out a diverse range of foods. A possible variant would be to introduce various types of partial board, where they at least prepare lunch or dinner according to the principles of healthy nutrition. Furthermore, the NPM doubts that balanced nutrition for children and adolescents who are still growing is possible on a budget of EUR 6.50 per day. Therefore, such per diem rates should be evaluated and raised. The Salzburg Funds provided under the reception conditions inadequate 111