STATISTICS AND HIGHLIGHTS
UNHCR and partners learned of three irregular arrivals from Bulgaria.
20 persons expressed intent to seek asylum, bringing the total in April 2016 to 236 and for the whole of 2016 to 2,177 (statistics courtesy of the Ministry of Interior).
Over 60 asylum seekers departed by accessing procedures in Hungarian “transit zones”.
Occupancy in the three transit sites in the West dropped to 100 refugees total and in the Reception Centre in Presevo possibly to below 400.
At the same time, with warmer weather and reinvigoration of smuggling networks after border closures by police chiefs, the number of refugees/migrants in Belgrade rose again. Close to 400 were observed/assisted in public areas of the city centre.
SOUTH
Pending a recount, it appears possible that over the last few days occupancy in the Reception Centre (RC) in Presevo dropped from 460 to below 400 refugees. UNHCR /SPDE distributed 330 WFP HEBs and 842 water bottles while the water tank from Miratovac RAP was installed in the RC.
Four different Focus Group Discussions were held with refugees throughout the day as part of the participatory assessment exercise organised by UNHCR and partners. Also, UNHCR together with UNICEF and Child Welfare Services continued Best Interest Assessments (BIA) with unaccompanied and separated children (UASC).
The UNHCR-supported Public Health and the Natan/Humedica NGO clinic treated 64 patients. The UNICEF/DRC/CSW child friendly space / mother and baby corner hosted 79 children and 62 women.
BELGRADE
Around 390 refugees and migrants were observed by UNHCR partners in Belgrade. They were mainly from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Somalia. The Asylum Info Centre remained open 24/7 and assisted 130 refugees/migrants, while MSF provided medical assistance. Some 150 refugees/migrants spent the nights in parks near the bus and train stations.
EAST
Three UASC from Afghanistan arrived in Dimitrovgrad via Bulgaria. After receiving humanitarian assistance from Sigma Plus, Indigo, Red Cross and BCHR the group was sent to the Youth Upbringing Institution in Nis.