STATISTICS AND HIGHLIGHTS
UNHCR and partners learned of 75 irregular arrivals during the last two days: 34 from fYR Macedonia and 41 from Bulgaria.
On a daily basis approximately 260 asylum seekers were waiting for admission into “transit zones”. 134 departed in the last two days by accessing Hungarian asylum procedures.
Eight persons expressed intent to seek asylum, bringing the total in May to 29 and for the whole of 2016 to 2,568 (statistics courtesy of the Ministry of Interior).
Monthly Asylum Statistics indicate 598 registered intentions to seek asylum in Serbia during April. 52% were made by men, 13% by women and 35% were registered as children. The majority were made by nationals of Afghanistan (40%), Syria (21.9%) or Pakistan (11.5%). 31 asylum applications could be launched formally. During April, one person was granted refugee status and two subsidiary protection, while seven asylums applications were rejected.
SOUTH
52 refugees remained accommodated at the Reception Centre (RC) in Presevo. Authorities briefly sheltered 15 new irregular arrivals from fYR Macedonia in the RC, before they again departed, most likely toward the Hungarian border. Three persons expressed the wish to seek asylum and were assigned to Banja Koviljaca Asylum Centre. The UNHCR-supported Public Health and Humedica clinic treated a total of 63 patients. The UNICEF/DRC/CSW child friendly space/mother and baby corner hosted two children and two women.
EAST
Due to the reduced number of arrivals many UNHCR’ partners, NGOs and agencies scaled down or closed their operation in the East. WAHA and Divac Foundation concluded activities in Dimitrovgrad at the end of April. Sigma Plus, Indigo, Red Cross, DRC, IOM, BCHR and Info Park remain present but with reduced capacities.
Five refugees/migrants arrived via Bulgaria to Negotin, and received expulsion orders. UNHCR interviewed them while Amity and ADRA provided them with some food and clothes. On 3 May the police arrested two Serbian nationals who were transporting 15 refugees/migrants on the Zajecar-Negotin road.
BELGRADE
UNHCR and partners assisted daily between 180 and 210 refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants. They were mostly from Afghanistan and Pakistan, with fewer from Syria or Morocco. The Asylum Info Centre supported them in various referrals, including access to asylum procedures and medical services. UNHCR/DRC doctors treated 18 patients while MSF, Refugee Aid Miksaliste volunteers and Divac Foundation assisted them with food and other aid. Some 30 were present at nights in the parks near the bus and train station.
WEST
Only 26 refugees/migrants remained hosted in the two Refugees Aid Points (RAPs): 20 single men in Sid and a family of six - awaiting Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) - in Adasevci.
NORTH
In rainy weather some 260 asylum seekers, including many women and children, waited to be admitted into the two “transit zones” near Kelebija and Horgos I border crossings every day. Sanitary conditions remain of grave concern. Requests to place chemical toilets and re-admit HCIT are pending approval from authorities.
UNHCR and UNICEF distributed 639 lunch packages, 115 water bottles, 13 jackets, 64 raincoats and 35 UNHCR blankets as well as other food and non-food aid for children including UNIQLO clothes at both locations. Additional food was donated by Divac Foundation, CARE/NSHC and World Vision. MSF continued to offer medical assistance.
HCIT assisted asylum seekers in and around Subotica, distributing 31 lunch packages, 20 water bottles. Subotica RAP remained unused for the last two days.