Last week saw the successful completion of reconstruction works carried out on old military barracks and hospital in Bosilegrad, transformed into migrant and refugees registration and accommodation centre. Accommodation capacity now stands at 60, along with separate registration offices. The construction works have been carried out within the “EU assistance for migrants and refugees in Serbia” Programme.
The total value of reconstruction works and furnishing of the centre is EUR76,000. The money is channelled through the EU Delegation to Serbia and allocated from the EU aid package aimed to assist the country in tackling refugee crisis. The reconstruction works in Bosilegrad started off in late January and were completed last week. As a result, one facility was turned into accommodation centre, with 30 bunk beds, whereas the other two facilities serve as migrant and refugee registration offices.
The reconstruction works were carried out by German non-governmental organisation Help. Also, accommodation capacity for refugees is being expanded in Pirot within the “EU assistance for migrants and refugees in Serbia” Programme. Previously, in the framework of the same Programme, asylum centre in Krnjaca has been reconstructed, whereas preparations are underway for the construction of reception centre in Danilovgrad. All construction works within the Programme are done by three non-governmental organisations – Danish Refugee Council (DRC), Arbeiter-Samaritar- Bund (ASB) and Help.
The European Union, via the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Serbia, has been supporting the efforts of Serbian national and local authorities as well as other institutions engaged in addressing the migrant crisis through the “EU assistance for migrants and refugees in Serbia” Programme worth EUR7 million. European funds are being used to increase operational capability and capacity necessary to coordinate activities. Also, necessary equipment has been donated to the Ministry of Interior and Commissariat for Refugees and Migration, enabling them to provide better services and support to migrants and refugees passing through Serbia.
