Serbia Migrant Crisis 2015
Conflicts, civil unrest and lack of economic opportunities in the Middle East, Asia and Africa has seen a marked increase in 2015 in the flow of refugees and economic migrants to the European Union through the Western Balkans route of Turkey, Greece, Macedonia and Serbia. The majority come from Syria and Afghanistan, as well as from Pakistan, Libya, Mali, Eritrea, Somalia and sub-Saharan Africa countries. Their aim is to seek asylum in the EU. Their journey is often in overcrowded boats across the eastern Mediterranean. It’s expensive and dangerous. It’s difficult to cross the border between Serbia and Hungary to the European Union. Migrants and refugees are left in a legal limbo in host countries already affected by economic crisis. Asylum and migration practices in those countries are not equipped to deal with the needs.
Some officials estimate that thousands of people a day are arriving in Serbia. It’s hard to give an accurate number. Most of the newcomers don’t want to stay in Serbia. The UN’s refugee agency, UNHCR, says until now over 66,000 people have asked for asylum in Serbia, among whom 4,000 were unaccompanied minors.
Caritas is providing food and improving hygiene in the centre in Presevo through local partners supported by Caritas Luxembourg and Caritas Austria. Refugees and migrants receive food, hygiene parcels and mobile showers and toilet units.
Caritas Serbia is ready to respond when there is an action plan from the Serbian government. The response will be with the two dioceses covering the entry and exit points: Caritas Belgrade and Caritas Subotica respectively.
CRS, a Caritas member based in the United States, is working with local diocesan Caritas staff, as well as the Orthodox Church, UNHCR and other local partners to support food, medical, hygiene, shelter, non-food items, legal assistance and counselling for hundreds of refugees and migrants.
Caritas Luxembourg is also supplying detergents and protective material to improve hygienic conditions in all reception centres.
Credit: Caritas Serbia
Serbia Migrant Crisis 2015
Conflicts, civil unrest and lack of economic opportunities in the Middle East, Asia and Africa has seen a marked increase in 2015 in the flow of refugees and economic migrants to the European Union through the Western Balkans route of Turkey, Greece, Macedonia and Serbia. The majority come from Syria and Afghanistan, as well as from Pakistan, Libya, Mali, Eritrea, Somalia and sub-Saharan Africa countries. Their aim is to seek asylum in the EU. Their journey is often in overcrowded boats across the eastern Mediterranean. It’s expensive and dangerous. It’s difficult to cross the border between Serbia and Hungary to the European Union. Migrants and refugees are left in a legal limbo in host countries already affected by economic crisis. Asylum and migration practices in those countries are not equipped to deal with the needs.
Some officials estimate that thousands of people a day are arriving in Serbia. It’s hard to give an accurate number. Most of the newcomers don’t want to stay in Serbia. The UN’s refugee agency, UNHCR, says until now over 66,000 people have asked for asylum in Serbia, among whom 4,000 were unaccompanied minors.
Caritas is providing food and improving hygiene in the centre in Presevo through local partners supported by Caritas Luxembourg and Caritas Austria. Refugees and migrants receive food, hygiene parcels and mobile showers and toilet units.
Caritas Serbia is ready to respond when there is an action plan from the Serbian government. The response will be with the two dioceses covering the entry and exit points: Caritas Belgrade and Caritas Subotica respectively.
CRS, a Caritas member based in the United States, is working with local diocesan Caritas staff, as well as the Orthodox Church, UNHCR and other local partners to support food, medical, hygiene, shelter, non-food items, legal assistance and counselling for hundreds of refugees and migrants.
Caritas Luxembourg is also supplying detergents and protective material to improve hygienic conditions in all reception centres.
Credit: Caritas Serbia