STATISTICS AND HIGHLIGHTS
UNHCR and partners learned of 34 irregular arrivals from fYR Macedonia
57 persons expressed intent to seek asylum, bringing the total in April 2016 to 293 and for the whole of 2016 to 2,234 (statistics courtesy of the Ministry of Interior).
Around 60 asylum seekers departed by accessing procedures in Hungarian “transit zones”.
As evident from below graphs, 90% of refugees / migrants left temporary sites in the West, mainly towards Hungary, over the last month. Over the last few days also departures from the Reception Centre (RC) in Presevo were noted, bringing its occupancy down to 340 refugees i.e. 50% of what it was one month ago. Refugees have not yet been furnished with temporary protection or other legal status to regularize their longer stay in Serbia, as had been suggested by the UN system. These development shall allow authorities to again close all transit facilities/Refugee Aid Points (RAPs) and temporary Asylum Centres that had been created for the emergency situation of last year and accommodate all remaining and new asylum seekers in facilities that provide access to basic rights and services, such as the Asylum Centres of Banja Koviljaca, Krnjaca and Bogovaca as well as the Reception Centre of Presevo. UN agencies and partners, in coordination with their donors, have re-prioritized their investments in support of governmental shelter activities accordingly.
SOUTH
With over 100 refugees leaving in the last few days towards the North of Serbia, approximately 340 remain accommodated in the Reception Centre (RC) of Presevo. UNHCR/SPDE distributed 258 WFP HEBs and 842 water bottles while Philanthropy distributed summer clothes. UNHCR and partners completed all Focus Group Discussions with refugees as part of the participatory assessment exercise. The UNHCR-supported Public Health and the Natan/Humedica NGO clinic treated 91 patients. UNICEF/DRC continue to pilot informal educational activities. The UNICEF/DRC/CSW child friendly space / mother and baby corner hosted 69 children and 64 women while SOS Children’s Village organized other recreational activities for children.
BELGRADE
In rainy weather only around 120 refugees and migrants were observed by UNHCR partners in public spaces. They were mainly from Afghanistan, Somalia and Pakistan. The Asylum Info Centre remained open 24/7 and assisted over 70, including new irregular arrivals from fYR Macedonia, while MSF provided medical assistance. Less than 200 refugees/migrants spent the nights in parks near the bus and train stations.
NORTH
155 asylum seekers, including many women and children, waited outside the two “transit zones” near Kelebije and Horgos I border-crossings. They arrived from the sites in the West or had entered Serbia irregularly from fYR Macedonia or Bulgaria and reached the North through Belgrade. Some 30 asylum seekers were admitted into each “transit zone”. UNHCR/HCIT distributed food, 348 water bottles and 100 raincoats. An ambulance from Kanjiža Hospital assisted one woman in the open at Horgos border crossing. Access to sanitary facilities still needs to be resolved.
WEST
100 refugees, including eight children, remain sheltered in the three transit facilities in the West: 33 in Sid, 49 in Adasevci and 18 in Principovac Refugee Aid Points (RAPs). Two refugees from Syria decided to apply for asylum in Serbia while others enquired for Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) programme. The request for eleven AVR candidates to be moved from Sid RAP to Krnjaca Asylum Centre remains pending a positive response by responsible authorities. CRS/Divac Foundation continued to provide hot lunches in all three locations. The BCM/Sid Health Centre at Adasevci assisted six patients while WAHA treated another 20 refugees in Sid and Principovac.