Serbia: Population Movement Revised Emergency Appeal n° MDRRS011

This second revision of the Emergency Appeal seeks a total of 4,608,611 Swiss francs (increased from 3,233,828 Swiss francs) to support the Red Cross of Serbia (RCS) to respond to the needs of some 380,580 people (increased from 293,580) for an additional five months, therefore extending the operation until 9 September 2016. This revision focuses on the provision of health care, particularly first aid kits to complement the health activities of the authorities, basic food (including hot tea and soup) and non-food items (with a focus on winterization), hygiene promotion activities, Restoring Family Links (RFL), beneficiary engagement, preparation of contingency stocks, and National Society capacity building, through specialized trained and provision of equipment. This revised Emergency Appeal also reflects an increase in the number of beneficiaries based on the data on newly arriving migrants and including an anticipated increase in the influx of migrants during the upcoming months, depending on the situation evolves along the length of the migratory trail.

The operational strategy

Serbia is the main corridor for people traveling from former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Bulgaria to Croatia. From 1st of January until 4th of February, 64,125 people have transited through Serbia. Considering the global figures, 611,000 arrivals have been registered for the country between January 2015 and January 2016 and over 485,100 people registered their intention to seek asylum in Serbia from 1 January to 30 November, 2015 (17% women and 31% children). This influx is expected to continue in the following months since the predictions are that up to one million refugees and migrants could attempt to use the Eastern Mediterranean and Western Balkans route to Europe in 2016.

The number of beneficiaries will be allocated between entry points (on the border with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), transit facilities in the country and exit points (on the border between Serbia and Croatia, or Hungary based on the evolving situation). The possible split is as follows:

• 190,290 beneficiaries to be assisted immediately upon arrival in Presevo and Dimitrovgrad (on the border with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia)

• 38,058 beneficiaries to be assisted in Belgrade during their journey

• 152,232 beneficiaries to be assisted in Sid (on the border between Serbia and Croatia).

A re-calculation of the number of the targeted beneficiaries has been done based on the data on newly arriving migrants as well as through information sharing with other stakeholders. This will avoid duplication of efforts while addressing the needs of the migrants in Serbia. In the prioritization of assistance, the needs of women, children, old people and people living with disabilities is prioritized.