The EU Delegation in Bosnia is concerned about the migration situation in the country as the humanitarian crisis is becoming a reality because of the lack of action of the authorities, the Delegation said Wednesday.
The current weather conditions seriously put at risk the lives of over 2,000 persons sleeping outside in dire conditions and of the 1,300 persons located at the temporary Lipa facility in the country's north-western Una-Sana Canton, which is unsuitable for winter as the authorities failed to ensure that the necessary conditions are in place, the Delegation said.
“This risks further impacting the overall security situation as well as the humanitarian crisis, in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Solutions exist and the EU is ready to support Bosnia and Herzegovina in the necessary actions. As an immediate priority, we urge the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina to temporarily relocate the refugees and migrants currently in Lipa to the EU-funded reception centre ‘Bira’ in Bihac, which was unlawfully emptied by the Cantonal authorities on 30 September 2020 and which is ready to host them,” the Delegation stated.
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Additionally, they recommend the authorities fulfil their commitment to open an additional reception centre in Ciljuge near the central-Bosnian city of Tuzla in order to ensure shelter for all persons in need in the coming winter.
“The EU has provided considerable financial and technical support to Bosnia and Herzegovina to better manage migration and asylum and assist citizens in coping with the challenging situation. We urge the authorities to act with the utmost urgency to save lives. The EU will continue to stand by all citizens and support the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina in coping with the challenging situation,” the Delegation concluded.
According to the country's Service for Foreigners’ Affairs, migrant reception centres in Una-Sana Canton have reached capacity and there are currently over 3,200 migrants are staying there.
At least as many migrants are staying in two reception centres in the area of Sarajevo and the country's Security Ministry estimates that up to 8,000 illegal migrants are currently staying in Bosnia.
