Attachments
Highlights
Between January and March 2024, an estimated 34,050 refugees and migrants arrived in Italy, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, and Serbia mainly from Afghanistan, Syria, and North Africa.¹ While this represents a decrease of 32 percent compared to the same period last year, notably, Greece and Bulgaria witnessed significant increases in children among arrivals (up to 50 percent).
In the first quarter of 2024, UNICEF achieved progress in key areas, for example: In Italy, guidelines to support migrant and refugee children and families with special needs were rolled out and complimented by trainings in two additional locations. In Greece, UNICEF supported the implementation of the guardianship scheme for unaccompanied children, filling a crucial protection gap. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, a comprehensive Accountability to Affected Population (AAP) Improvement Strategic Plan was developed to ensure feedback and two-way communication channels. In Bulgaria, UNICEF refurbished and supported a much-needed safe zone for unaccompanied and separated children at a key reception center. In Serbia, system-strengthening support enabled the rapid, unconditional enrolment of all refugee and migrant children in formal education.
At the end of March 2024, UNICEF had received US$1.6 million in new funding against its US$25.6 million ask. With US$6.6 million carry-forward funding, the refugee and migrant response is currently 35 percent funded.