In order to protect migrants located in the Una-Sana Canton in Bosnia and Herzegovina, who are on the move outside official reception centers, living in forests, abandoned buildings and public areas, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Red Cross / Una-Sana Canton Sana Canton and the Red Cross of the Federation of BiH, launched last week new effort to distribute food and non-food products in the Canton.
In the coming period, the mobile humanitarian teams of these organizations will distribute sleeping bags, warm blankets, food packages, winter clothes and shoes, hygiene and other necessities for staying outdoors during the winter.
The action is financially supported by the European Union, and is continuation of the support provided to Bosnia and Herzegovina due to the ongoing migrant and refugee situation.
Says Peter Van der Auweraert, Chief of Mission of IOM in Bosnia and Herzegovina said: “while IOM and the Red Cross teams will do their utmost to reach as many people sleeping outside as possible, it is clear that we will not be able to reach everyone, as according to the colleagues of the Danish Refugee Councils there are more than 250 locations where migrants and refugees are staying. Operationally, it will be impossible to reach all these locations. Moreover, this type of humanitarian support is at best a Band-Aid, and not a solution, that will get migrants and refugees through the winter without casualties, unless additional accommodation is established soon”.
He also warned that “that urgent action remains needed to increase official reception capacity in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the interest of both the migrants and refugees currently staying outside and the local population in the affected communities, especially in Una-Sana Canton.”
It is estimated that more than 3,000 migrants and refugees sleep outside in Bosnia and Herzegovina and cannot be accommodated due to overcrowding in official refugee camps and the closure of the official reception center “Bira”, due to the decision by local authorities in Una-Sana Canton.
