Highlights and Statistics
In an alarming development, as of 2 July rumours spread that the border to Hungary will completely close soon. These rumours were likely related to the new Hungarian law, legitimising push-backs to Serbia, taking effect on 5 July. As a result, several hundreds of refugees/migrants left and continue to leave Belgrade, and other locations to quickly reach the North of Serbia. This development may increase to 1,500 or above the number of asylum-seekers at the border with Hungary, which stood at an average of 920 during the reporting period. About half of them, of which 41 % children, were waiting admission at the border crossings of Kelebija and Horgos I. Authorities, UNHCR and partners are concerned about increasing humanitarian, protection and security risks for bigger numbers of asylum-seekers at the border, including more families in difficult conditions outside the “transit zones” and groups of men, who will try to cross into Hungary irregularly.
The number of refugees/migrants in Belgrade throughout the reporting period remained above 1,000, with over 500 assisted in the city centre and as many sheltered in the Asylum Centre (AC) of Krnjaca.
Over 26% of an estimated 300 irregular arrivals per day were encountered/assisted by UNHCR and partners near entry points from the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Bulgaria.
During July 2016, 193 persons expressed already their intent to seek asylum in Serbia and 4,814 for the year 2016 (statistics courtesy of the Ministry of Interior).
Monthly Asylum Statistics of the Ministry of Interior indicate a growth to 1,206 intentions to seek asylum in Serbia during June alone. 50.8% were by men, 13.4% by women and 35.8% by children. Most were filed by citizens of Afghanistan (33.2%) and Syria (32.2%), followed by Pakistan (15.7%) and Iraq (7.5%). 52 asylum applications were formally registered. During June, one asylum seeker was granted refugee status and five subsidiary protection, while six applications were rejected (including one each from Syria and the Democratic Republic of Congo).
South
Up to 92 refugees, were accommodated at the Reception Centre (RC) in Presevo, plus 117 new arrivals from theformer Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
The Red Cross, UNICEF, Caritas, Indigo, BCM, ATINA, Grupa 484, Humedica, DRC, Care, MSF, REMAR, ADRA, Save the Children, SOS Children Villages, KinderBerg, Philanthropy, Border Free and Youth for Refugees assisted them. The UNHCR-supported Public Health and the Humedica clinic provided over 260 medical treatments. The UNICEF/DRC/CSW child friendly space/mother and baby corner hosted up to 35 children and 12 women daily.
East
UNHCR partners assisted 81 new arrivals from Bulgaria, mostly from Afghanistan and Syria.
Belgrade
UNHCR and partners assisted over 500 refugees, asylum seekers and migrants daily in the city centre. Between 60 and 140 stayed at night in parks near the bus or train station while many others were sheltered by the SCRM and assisted by Caritas in Krnjaca AC.
The Asylum Info Centre facilitated many referrals, including access to asylum procedures in Serbia, accommodation to Krnjaca AC and medical services. UNHCR/DRC doctors treated 147 patients, while MSF, Divac Foundation assisted with food and other aid. Refugee Aid Miksaliste temporarily closed 3-4 July
North
On average, over 920 asylum seekers were present close to the Hungarian border every day. Around 440 asylum seekers, predominantly women and children from Afghanistan and Syria, stayed for weeks in difficult conditions outside the “transit zones” at Kelebija and Horgos I border crossings. Foundation assisted with food and other aid. Refugee Aid Miksaliste temporarily closed 3-4 July.
Though the frequency of cleaning of toilets in Horgos and Kelebija increased to three times/week, it was still not sufficient to ensure regular access to sanitation and prevent open defecation. While authorities, asylum-seekers and partners keep Horgos comparatively clean, there is still no container to secure regular waste disposal at Kelebije.
UNHCR, HCIT, UNICEF, IOM, MDM, MSF and the Red Cross provided humanitarian aid, including water, food, non-food aid, medical assistance as well as legal and other counselling outside the two Hungarian “transit zones”. HELP contributed fruits and additional food.
The SCRM sheltered approximately 350 asylumseekers in the Refugee Aid Point (RAP) of Subotica.
Over 130 refugees/migrants were encountered on a daily basis in and around Subotica on their way to the transit zones. HCIT as well as BCM, Divac Foundation and other agencies aided the most needy. 114 asylum seekers were admitted into Hungarian “transit zones”, i.e. up to 30 per day.