the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

• 3,610 new refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants were counted in Serbia on 05 August (compared to 3,529 two weeks ago), of which 3,071 (i.e 85%) were accommodated in 18 governmental centres. Over 530 were observed outside the centres: 250 in Belgrade City, another 240 camping close to borders with Croatia or Hungary but only 45 in Loznica, close to the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

MAIN DEVELOPMENTS, RESPONSE AND ACHIEVEMENTS

UNHCR supported Serbia inter alia in the following fields:

a) Asylum System Development and response to the European Refugee and Migration Situation
b) Prevention and Reduction of Statelessness
c) Support to Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons
d) Support to Solutions for Refugees from former Yugoslavia

From January through June 2018, UNHCR expended USD 5, 4 million through partnership with 15 partners

KEY INDICATORS

1,561 Registered intentions to seek asylum in Serbia

30% of registered refugees and migrants were minors

58 Applications for asylum

7 Persons granted refugee status

7 Persons granted subsidiary protection

HIGHLIGHTS

Global Overview JULY 2018

• 3,529 new refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants were counted in Serbia on 22 July (compared to 3,357 two weeks ago), of which 3,124 (i.e 88%) were accommodated in 18 governmental centres (below chart refers, also see June 2018 Site Profiles). Some 400 were observed outside the centres: 150 in Belgrade City, another 150 camping close to borders with Croatia or Hungary and up to 100 in Loznica, close to the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

• 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).

By Valentina Bacchin

A case study on legal aid work in Oxfam’s protection programmes in Italy, Greece, Serbia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Our Message

While there is room for disagreement about migration policy, the humanitarian imperative means that we must never needlessly sacrifice the survival and dignity of any vulnerable people, including migrants.

Global Overview JUNE 2018

• 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.

HIGHLIGHTS

• UNHCR and partners noted an increase in the number newly arriving refugees, asylumseekers and migrants to Serbia. During the last two weeks we encountered and assisted 697, three times the number (230) during the preceding two weeks. 73% arrived irregularly from fYR Macedonia (up from 55% two weeks ago), 11% from Bulgaria (up from 4%), and only 6% by air (down from 31%). 69% were adult men, 9% adult women and 22% children. Most originated from Pakistan (39%), Iraq (22%), or Afghanistan (20%), few from Iran (9%) or Syria (3%).

General

UNHCR Serbia and partners under its programme continued to observe new arrivals in 2018: both irregular movements through green borders as well as by air to Belgrade airport. Below charts show the arrival trend from the beginning of 2017 through April 2018 by country of transit and by nationality.

Representatives of countries along the Balkan route (Greece, Albania, FYROM, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary, Austria) committed to closer cooperation and information exchange on migrants arriving on their territory, during a meeting held on 7 June 2018 in Sarajevo.

Global Overview MAY 2018

UNHCR SERBIA UPDATE

• UNHCR and partners continue to note an increase in new arrivals when assisting 253 (compared to 230 during the preceding two weeks – below chart refers). Arrivals from fYR Macedonia remained at the same level (55%), as did those by air (31%), while fewer arrived from Bulgaria (4%). Men continued to constitute majority with 62%, while 9% were women and 29% children. Nationals of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran constituted relatively equal number of new arrivals.

UNHCR SERBIA UPDATE

• 3,199 new refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants were counted in Serbia on 13 May. 2,795 (i.e. 87%) were accommodated in 18 governmental centres. Around 400 were still observed outside of centres: around 200 in Belgrade City and some 200 camping close to borders with Croatia or Hungary.

On Thursday 17 May, EU Heads of State are meeting their counterparts from the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Kosovo) to discuss cooperation in several areas, including migration and security. Following increased arrivals of refugees and migrants to both the Western Balkans and the EU, the issue of border control has gained prominence, resulting in more investments and cooperation agreements between the EU and Western Balkan countries.

KEY INDICATORS

1,731 Registered intentions to seek asylum in Serbia

23% of registered refugees and migrants were minors

35 Applications for asylum

3 Persons granted refugee status

2 Persons granted subsidiary protection