The European Union has provided €60.5 million since 2018 to address the immediate needs of refugees and migrants and to strengthen the migration management capacities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the European Commission told N1, adding that the local authorities need to urgently provide shelter to all those refugees and migrants "in need."
“EU humanitarian assistance addresses the most urgent needs such as food, water, emergency shelter, sanitation, healthcare, warm clothing and protection assistance. This is on top of substantial broader support to the law enforcement authorities that BiH has received since 2007, of which €38.5 million specifically aimed at supporting border management,” said the Commission, in response to N1's inquiry on details about the financial assistance from Brussels helping Bosnia and Herzegovina cope with the migrant crisis.
But, the Commission stressed, Bosnian authorities were requested to make full use of EU funding, by “ensuring effective coordination and management of migration and asylum at all levels of government.”
“This is a key priority from the Commission Opinion on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU membership application. The authorities need to urgently provide shelter to all refugees and migrants in need, to avert the risk of a humanitarian crisis in the coming winter,” it stressed, adding that the Union will continue to stand by all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina in coping with this challenging situation.
“The EU has provided considerable financial support to Bosnia and Herzegovina to date (€530 million in IPA-II under the 2014-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework) and intends to continue its assistance in the future,” according to the EU institution. “Moreover, Bosnia and Herzegovina will also benefit from €250 million in macro-financial assistance to its budget.”
As for the future plans for financial assistance including the one under the new Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, as the IPA-III instrument is currently being negotiated with EU Council and European Parliament, the Commission was unable to provide more specific information.
