Introduction
According to the UN, up to 2,700 refugees and migrants are currently present in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Around 2,000 of them are accommodated in EU-funded reception centres located in Sarajevo and Una Sana Cantons.
Given the persisting humanitarian needs and protection issues, humanitarian assistance remains of the essence to fill in the gaps.
What are the needs?
Since the beginning of 2018, more than 87,000 refugees and migrants arrived in Bosnia and Herzegovina via the Western Balkans route.
More than 700 refugees and migrants continue to live in inadequate conditions, without access to basic services, including unaccompanied children and families.
Adequate accommodation remains available in the temporary reception centres. Nevertheless, some refugees and migrants choose to sleep in abandoned buildings or makeshift tents. They have limited or no access to safe and dignified shelter, food, water, sanitation, electricity and heating.
The poor sanitary conditions increase the exposure to various diseases and impacts their ability to protect themselves against COVID-19. Due to the hardships of being on the move and the difficult living conditions, there is a need for first aid and psychosocial support.
How are we helping?
Since the beginning of the influx of refugees and migrants in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the EU has been working closely with UN agencies, other humanitarian organisations, and the Bosnian authorities to meet the humanitarian needs of refugees and migrants.
Since 2018, the EU has provided over €18.8 million in humanitarian aid. The funding is implemented by international humanitarian organisations to cover the most urgent needs of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.
EU humanitarian funding helps provide shelter, food, water and sanitation, health, and supports the country in strengthening its migration management capacities.
The EU also provides specialised protection services for vulnerable individuals or groups at risk, such as identification and referrals, case management, and support to unaccompanied minors.
Our funding also includes the provision of mental health and psychosocial support. EU humanitarian assistance is provided also to those who are not in reception centres and are sleeping outside.
Since early 2018, the EU has provided a total of nearly €144 million in assistance directly to Bosnia and Herzegovina and through implementing partners.
In September 2022, Bosnia and Herzegovina joined the EU Civil Protection Mechanism as a participating state. Established in 2001, the Mechanism aims to strengthen the cooperation between the EU Member States and 7 participating states on civil protection to improve prevention, preparedness, and response to disasters.
Last updated: 06/09/2022
Picture: © DRC, 2022 (photographer: Hector Carpintero)