STATISTICS AND HIGHLIGHTS
UNHCR and partners learned of 294 irregular arrivals during the last four days: 189 from fYR Macedonia and 105 from Bulgaria.
Over 270 asylum seekers were waiting on a daily basis for admission at the border crossings with Hungary. 261 departed in the last four days by accessing Hungarian asylum procedures.
58 (three on 8/05; 16 on 7/05; 36 on 6/05 and three on 5/05) persons expressed intent to seek asylum, bringing the total in May to 87 and for the whole of 2016 to 2,626 (statistics courtesy of the Ministry of Interior).
SOUTH
52 refugees remained accommodated at the Reception Centre (RC) in Presevo. During the reporting period the authorities intercepted 93 irregular arrivals from fYR Macedonia and brought them to the RC. They were all issued with an explosion order, before they again departed, presumably toward the Hungarian border. The UNHCR-supported Public Health and Humedica clinic treated a total of 113 patients and referred one case to the Hospital in Vranje. In the past four days the UNICEF/DRC/CSW child friendly space/mother and baby corner hosted 51 children and 18 women.
BELGRADE
UNHCR and partners assisted on a daily basis some 200 refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants. They were mostly from Afghanistan and Pakistan, with fewer from Syria and other nationalities. Many were recent irregular arrivals from fYR Macedonia and Bulgaria. The Asylum Info Centre supported them in various referrals, including access to asylum procedures and medical services. UNHCR/DRC doctors treated 70 patients while MSF, Refugee Aid Miksaliste volunteers and Divac Foundation assisted them with food and other aid. Some 20 were present at nights in the parks near the bus and train station.
On 6 May the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and UNHCR briefed donors, UN agencies and other organisations on the current refugees/migrants situation in Serbia at the 8th UNCT Partner’s briefing.
WEST
Only 23 refugees/migrants remained hosted in the two Refugees Aid Points (RAPs): 17 single men in Sid and a family of six, awaiting Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR), in Adasevci. Three refugees/migrants left during the reporting period to the Hungarian border.
NORTH
On a daily basis over 270 asylum seekers, including many women and children, waited to be admitted into the two “transit zones” at Kelebija and Horgos I border crossings. In both sites the sanitary conditions remain a serious concern, despite the continued advocacy from the humanitarian community. The requests to re-admit HCIT team at the sites and place chemical toilets are pending the approval from the authorities.
UNHCR and UNICEF distributed 1,308 lunch packages, 60 water bottles, 23 jackets, 73 raincoats and as well as other food and non-food aid for children. From 7 May, Red Cross started its presence at the border and distributed additional hot meals to asylum seekers. MSF continued to offer medical assistance.
HCIT assisted asylum seekers in and around Subotica, distributing 470 lunch packages, 261 water bottles, 80 WFP HEBs and 70 antibacterial gel. Subotica RAP hosted a total of 19 refugees/migrants in the past four days: three on 5 May and 16 on 8 May.