Migrant routes in Bosnia and Herzegovina are active again. Almost 32 thousand migrants passed through our country last year alone. Officials assure – the situation is under control, however, with the arrival of colder days in the Lipa camp near Bihać, the capacities are already full.
These are scenes from a few years ago. Conditions for migrants in Bihać are much better today. Almost 1,600 of them found refuge in the Lipa camp, which is above capacity, but the numbers vary. Despite the snow and the minus, a few of them go to the game every day.
Muhammad, a migrant from Bangladesh
“I tried to cross the border five times and failed every time. The camp is fine, we have everything, but I want to move on. To Italy.”
They are assisted by numerous organizations. Among them is the SOS Balkan Route. They say they gave them clothes and four hundred blankets, and they also help when they come back from the game. Often these illegal attempts to cross the border reveal the cruelty of the Croatian police.
Asim Karabegović, volunteer in the SOS Balkan Route organization
“Most of all, we saw people who return from Croatia naked, barefoot, robbed. We are constantly on the ground, helping, and we will continue to do so.”
There was a showdown among the migrants themselves. On New Year’s Eve with a tragic outcome.
Irma Arifović, head of the Center for Emergency Medicine in Bihać
“Recently, the number of injuries caused by cold weapons has increased. On New Year’s Day, we had the last fatality. Usually, these confrontations, as they say, take place between them.”
The number of migrants is increasing, but the situation is under control. Officials assure that the 2018 scenario will not allow it.
Nijaz Hušić, Prime Minister of Una-Sana Canton
“There is no fear. The accommodation capacities are so great. Every day I speak with representatives of the international communities that manage the camps. The situation is under control, we monitor it daily. We will not allow any escalation.”
More than 30,000 migrants passed through BiH last year alone. They stay here for a short time, and despite the snow and minus, they do not give up their intention to illegally cross the border and reach the European Union.
