Bosnia and Herzegovina

EU Frontex

In the first half of 2018, the total number of irregular border crossings into the EU nearly halved from a year ago to about 60 430, mainly because of lower migratory pressure on the Central Mediterranean route.

In June, some 13 100 irregular crossings were detected on the main migratory routes into the EU, 56% fewer than in the same month of last year.

Western Mediterranean

Executive Summary

Sarajevo/Budapest/Geneva, 19 July 2018 – Dozens of people are being treated daily for injuries sustained while attempting to cross from Bosnia and Herzegovina into Croatia, says the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Highlights

• Between January and June 2018, 50,800 refugees and migrants, including some 11,200 children, arrived in Europe through the Mediterranean. While Italy has recorded an 85 per cent decrease in sea arrivals in 2018 compared to the same period last year, Greece and Spain have seen a spike of 50 and 90 per cent respectively.

Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 16 July 2018 – A delegation from Tajik governmental institutions involved in flood management went on a study tour to Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina to learn to better deal with floods and strengthen the capacity in Tajikistan. The tour, which took place from 30 June to 7 July, was organized by the UNDP with the financial support from the Swiss Agency for Development.

• 3,357 new refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants were counted in Serbia on 08 July (compared to 2,997 recorded two weeks ago). While 2,944 (i.e. 87%) of them were accommodated in 18 governmental centres, 400 were observed outside: some 150 in Belgrade City, another 150 camping close to borders with Croatia or Hungary and up to 100 waiting near the bus station of Loznica town close to the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).

Since February 2018, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina is implementing the Interlinking Disaster Risk Management (IDRM) Project funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.

The Project goal is to increase of disaster risk reduction (DRR) policy and legal frameworks, and implement disaster and climate risk management measures at all government levels to protect citizens.

Official signing of the 2 million USD worth contract between the Embassy of the Kingdom od Saudi Arabia and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in BiH marks the kick-off of activities on finalizing the infrastructure improvements at ammunition storage site “Kula”, Mrkonjić Grad and arms storage site “Teufik Buza Tufo”, Visoko.

• UNICEF, in cooperation with Save the Children and World Vision, established Child Friendly Spaces in the Refugee Reception Centre and in Bihać. Over 240 children benefit from services and activities.
  
• ECHO pledged EUR 1.5 million for the most urgent needs of refugees and migrants in BiH. Further funding is under discussion with the EU – DG Near, the council of Europe Development Bank, and the Czech Government.

Marla Keenan, Victoria K. Holt

Geneva – IOM, the UN Migration Agency, reports that 46,449 migrants and refugees entered Europe by sea through the first half of 2018. That total compares to 101,213 at this time last year, and over 231,503 at this time in 2016.

VIENNA, 4 July 2018 – With the number of people killed or injured globally by landmines having doubled in the last five years, today’s OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) meeting in Vienna, held under Slovenia’s Chairmanship, focused on the threat posed by these “silent killers” and on the different approaches the OSCE is taking in affected states to address this challenge.

A. Situation Analysis

Description of the disaster

• World Refugee Day paid respect to all forcefully displaced persons in Serbia. Refugees shared their stories at a “Live books” event of the Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation. Refugee and local school children, UNHCR, SCRM and local authorities planted tress at a primary and a secondary school in Presevo, while UNHCR partner Indigo planted roses in the Reception Centre. UNHCR partner Psycho-Social Innovation Network drew attention to the local integration potential of refugees at a Humanitarian Artwork Auction.

RFE/RL's Balkan Service

Bosnian border guards have stopped dozens of migrants seeking to cross into European Union member Croatia.

The June 18 incident in northwestern Bosnia came amid a sharp increase in migrants from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia seeking refuge in Western Europe.

About 100 migrants had moved toward from the town of Velika Kladusa, where hundreds have been staying in makeshift camps, to the Maljevac border crossing, but police blocked them from proceeding.

Budapest/Geneva, 18 June 2018 – Thousands of people making their way through the Balkans are in desperate need of basic humanitarian services and support, says the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The number of people entering Europe through Greece and then making their way towards Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina is increasing. More than 5,600 people have reached Bosnia and Herzegovina since the beginning of January, compared with just 754 across the whole of 2017.

In May, some 12 100 irregular border crossings were detected on the main migratory routes into the EU, 56% fewer than in the same month of last year.

In the first five months of 2018, the total number of irregular border crossings fell 46% compared to a year ago to about 43 200, mainly because of lower migratory pressure on the Central Mediterranean route.

Central Mediterranean

Study points to new ways to reduce conflict in fragile states

A major research project by the UK's Stabilisation Unit explores the vital role of political deal-making in reducing violent conflict.

The Elite Bargains and Political Deals research indicates that greater focus on the politics of conflicts, and those who control power and resources on the ground, is crucial to reducing violence.

The Minister for the Middle East and for International Development Alistair Burt said:

The situation