The European Commission adopted on 29 April 2019 a second special measure on supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina in managing migration flows for an amount of €13 million. This new EU action will build on the results of the previous support measures through which the EU has provided €9.7 million to help the country cope with the influx of migrants it has experienced since 2018. This action will be implemented by IOM in cooperation with the UNHCR and UNICEF.
EU support will ensure accommodation and food for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. It will improve protection standards and living conditions as well access to social and health services, including education for school-aged children.
The EU funding will also strengthen the capacity of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s authorities in border management, as well as for identification, registration and referral to services for refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants and support for assisted voluntary return.
The action is part of a wider EU assistance to the country. Since 2007, the EU has been assisting Bosnia and Herzegovina in the area of asylum, migration and border management for an amount of €24.6 million. Since January 2016, Bosnia and Herzegovina also benefits from the regional programme ‘Support to Protection-Sensitive Migration Management’ worth €8 million.
In order to make full use of EU funding, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s authorities need to ensure effective coordination in managing the migration situation. In particular, they need to take over the management of the Temporary Reception Centres supported with EU funds and identify further suitable locations for accommodation.
