Refugee Crisis in Europe Continues, ADRA Opens Refugee Center in Belgrade
BELGRADE, Serbia— As tens of thousands of refugees continue to flee to Europe, ADRA is working overtime in Serbia to ensure that vulnerable families are cared for in this time of crisis.
Last week, ADRA and its partners (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Municipality SavskiVenac, Belgrade Center for Human Rights and NGO Klikaktiv) opened the Asylum Information Center in Belgrade to assist refugees passing through Serbia by providing reliable information about their rights and available resources in their own languages. Information is being provided in Arabic, Urdu, Farsi, Pashtu, English, and French.
Translators are also provided to assist with questions or concerns regarding legal asylum-seeking procedures, everyday life-issues, and medical or psychosocial support.
Refugees who visit the center can use computers and Wi-Fi free of charge to find information or stay connected to loved ones.
“This kind of center is critical,” says Igor Mitrović, ADRA Serbia Country Director. “A large number of refugees do not want to apply for asylum status in Serbia, putting them in a difficult situation. They are vulnerable and our objective is to empower them, because this may be essential to their safety, health, and dignity.”
If they do not register, he says, they cannot claim rights and services and are deprived of medical assistance. Mitrović explained that many refugees are sleeping outdoors with lack of proper hygiene, and no food.
ADRA has already distributed 2,000 meal kits and water to refugees entering Zajecar in eastern Serbia. The agency has also distributed hygiene items, diapers, baby formula, shoes, sanitary towels, etc.
According to the United Nations, there are 1,000 refugees crossing daily into Serbia on their way to the European Union. Officials in Serbia are estimating that that by the end of 2015, at least 200,000 refugees will have passed through Serbia.
The need for food, water, shelter, mobile toilets, and showers increases as refugees travel through Serbia on their way to Hungary.
About ADRA
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency International is the humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Its work empowers communities and changes lives around the globe by providing sustainable community development and disaster relief. For more information, visit ADRA.org.
