Improved capacities for accommodation of unaccompanied and separated migrant minors

Darija Kisić Tepavčević, Minister of Labor, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs, Mateja Norčić Štamcar, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, and Lidija Marković, Head of the International Organization for Migration Office in Serbia, visited the Center for accommodation of unaccompanied and separated migrant minors on the occasion of International Migrants Day.

As Minister Kisić Tepavčević pointed out, there are about 300 unaccompanied and separated migrant children (UASC) in Serbia, and the country has proven to be a very responsible country in this area.

“During this year, there were more than 7,000 different activities that were aimed at this part of the migrant population. For example, we provided timely medical and psychological assistance and all other types of protection”, said Kisić Tepavčević.

The capacity of the Center for Accommodation of Unaccompanied Migrant Minors totaled 15 beds, and thanks to the support of the European Union, the capacities were doubled. Mostly, beneficiaries are children and young people from Afghanistan, with the youngest currently being 10 and the oldest 18 years old.

“The EU continuously helps and supports migration management in Serbia, and that assistance as of 2015 amounts to EUR 130 million. We have just approved an additional EUR 13 million to support migration management in Serbia”, said Norčić Štamcar.

Lidija Marković from the International Organization for Migration pointed out that the construction works on improvement of conditions in the Center were completed less than a month ago, within the EU Support to Migration Management in Serbia.

According to her, the roof was repaired, the heating system was completely improved, pellets were procured for the next winter season and the windows on the first two floors of the building were replaced.