HIGHLIGHTS AND STATISTICS
After the parliament in Budapest adopted a new law that allows the police to return asylum seekers that entered Hungary irregularly and were apprehended within 8 km zone from the Serbian border, the Minister of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Policy, Mr. Aleksandar Vulin was quoted in the media that “Serbia will not allow forcible return of migrants from Hungary or any other country to its territory” and announced that Belgrade will seek an explanation from Budapest.
On daily basis about 600 asylum seekers, mainly women and children, were waiting in the open outside the Hungarian “transit zones” in Horgos I and Kelebjia while the Serbian Commissariat for Refugees and Migration (SCRM) sheltered other 200 in the Refugee Aid Point (RAP) of Subotica.
Of an estimated 300 irregular arrivals per day UNHCR and partners encountered/assisted near the entry points 172. Adding up the numbers of all refugees/migrants accommodated by the government and encountered elsewhere in Serbia one may estimate the around 1,800 were in Serbia at any one day.
During the reporting period, 151 persons expressed intent to seek asylum, bringing the total in June to 468, and the year 2016 to 3,865 (statistics courtesy of the Ministry of Interior).
UNHCR and IOM launched a revision of the Regional Refugee and Migrant Response Plan (RRMRP), taking account of developments since January 2016, on 10 June in Geneva. It outlines shifts in priorities, as well as operational and financial adjustments for the region. A distinct Serbia chapter includes funding gaps, which interested donors may wish to consider addressing. Please find more information here.
SOUTH
Between 93 and 128 refugees were sheltered at the Reception Centre (RC) in Presevo. Authorities, UNHCR and partners assisted 22 new arrivals, who were accommodated in the RC before departing to assigned asylum centres.
All necessary assistance was provided by the Serbian Red Cross, UNICEF, Caritas, Indigo, BCM, ATINA, Grupa 484, Humedica, DRC, Care, REMAR and Philanthropy. Iftar was served by Philanthropy, Border Free and Youth for Refugees in the MSF dining hall. ADRA, Save the Children, SOS Children Villages and others organized different recreational activities for children.
The UNHCR-supported Public Health and the Humedica clinic provided over 133 medical treatments while one case was referred to hospital. The UNICEF/DRC/CSW child friendly space/mother and baby corner hosted up to 26 children and eight women daily.
EAST
On 15 June, 35 refugees, including 21 men, two women and 12 children arrived via Bulgaria to the police station in Pirot. SCRM, Sigma Plus, DRC and BCHR assisted them with water, food and non-food aid. They received expulsion orders and SCRM facilitated transportation to Krnjaca Asylum Centre (AC).
On 13 June, the Police appended smugglers that transported nine Afghans, three Pakistanis, two Iraqis and one Syrian, including children in a car. Six refugee children were transferred to the Upbringing Institution in Nis, while the adult refugees/migrants are being processed for readmission to Bulgaria.
BELGRADE
UNHCR and partners encountered/assisted over 700 refugees, asylum seekers and migrants every day in Belgrade. They were mainly new arrivals from Afghanistan, Syria, Pakistan and a few from Morocco. Only a few stayed in the city centre at night, as many were sheltered by the SCRM and assisted by Caritas in Krnjaca AC.
The Asylum Info Centre facilitated many referrals, including access to asylum procedures, accommodation to Krnjaca AC and medical services. UNHCR/DRC doctors treated 47 patients, while MSF, Refugee Aid Miksaliste and Divac Foundation assisted with food and other aid.
NORTH
About 600 asylum seekers, stayed for days and some for weeks in improvised tents outside the “transit zones” at Kelebija and Horgos I border crossings.
Sanitary conditions at the border crossings were mitigated by authorities installing more chemical toilets in each site, while garbage collection and disposal remained challenging, especially in Kelebija.
UNHCR, HCIT, UNICEF, IOM, MDM, MSF and the Red Cross provided humanitarian assistance including water, food, non-food aid, medical assistance as well as legal and other counselling at the two border crossings with Hungary. World Vision contributed fresh fruit.
The SCRM accommodated up to 200 refugees/migrants, including many families with children, every night in the Refugee Aid Point (RAP) of Subotica.
On average 60 refugee/migrants were encountered daily in and around Subotica on their way to the border. HCIT as well as BCM, Divac Foundation and other agencies continued to aid the most needy amongst them. 90 asylum seekers were admitted into Hungarian “transit zones”, i.e. around 30 per day