A. Situation analysis
Description of the disaster
Since September 2014, the number of migrants that are transiting through the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) has been constantly increasing. According to various sources, hundreds of migrants are transiting now through Macedonia day by day. The migrants usually come from Greece, and they walk along the railway line Gevgelija Veles in the direction of Kumanovo and the neighbouring villages where they cross the Serbian border on their way to the countries of the European Union. They would usually cross the border on foot, or they might use public transport or bicycles, or they would illegally board some closed train wagons and continue their journey towards the northern border of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on their way to Serbia. As a result of recent intensified controls on the trains by the police, most migrants choose to make the trip on foot across the territory of the Republic of Macedonia. They walk along the highway M5 or along the railway in the direction Gevgelija – Demir Kapija - Veles- Skopje - Kumanovo, and on the road they frequently get confronted with criminal groups.
According to official local statistics, over 2,300 migrants transited through the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in the period between January 2015 and May 2015, and about 600 persons are sheltered in the reception centre, located in the capital city of Skopje and managed by the Ministry of Interior, where they stay from one to six months. If these persons request asylum, then they are relocated to the centre for asylum seekers which is managed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy.
As most of the people who are transiting through the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia with a view to seek a better life and protection in other European countries are crossing the Serbian border from the FYROM using the “Western Emergency Plan of Action update Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia:
Population movement P a g e | 2 Balkan Migratory Route”, the number of persons received at the Serbian/Macedonian border is also indicative for the number of migrants transiting through FYROM. Based on this information the Serbian authorities registered 9,000 migrants trying to enter Serbia from the FYROM in the last six weeks.
Under the mentioned circumstances, the competent authorities of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) have inquired very recently whether the Red Cross Society of the FYROM could step up their much appreciated efforts so as to handle the issue jointly with the Government in a humanitarian spirit in compliance with the relevant international standards and principles. The available resources of the National Society are already extremely stretched. Therefore some international assistance would be most welcome, and the National Society would like to receive financial support for this operation from the IFRC`s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF). Should the numbers of migrants remain high or increase further in the coming months, the National Society will consider a longer term programme or the launch of an emergency appeal.