Supporting Refugees and Migrants
The number of migrants and refugees in Bosnia and Serbia has risen sharply since 2015. These nations are part of the Balkan Route to reach Europe. Most people are from the Middle East, Asia and North Africa. They are fleeing violence or searching for economic opportunities.
Our programs in Belgrade reach thousands of refugees and migrants each year. They include information and referrals to other service providers; spaces to charge phones and use the internet; translation help; access to education and classes; and events for women and girls.
As Bosnia saw a spike in new arrivals in 2018, we expanded our work to help here, too. Now, we work near the Croatian border to provide classes, legal support and supplies. We focus on protecting unaccompanied and separated children as well as young adults under 21.
In both nations, we are working to realize our vision of a world where everyone has a safe place to call home.
Latest Updates
From Migrant to Helper: Adel’s Story
“I arrived in Bosnia and Herzegovina three years ago. The road took me through all of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to finally reach Bihac. I didn’t know the language; I didn’t even know where I was. At the bus stop, I listened to other people’s conversations, people like me and my at a time seven-year-old son. Passengers. Refugees. Migrants. I heard …
“I only dream about living without shame and without fear.”
This story was written by Irena Abdelalem Abdelmaksoud, a protection officer who specializes in working with unaccompanied children at CWS partner Info Park in Belgrade, Serbia. All comments are the opinions of the author or speaker. Yousef* is a 26-year-old who comes from Lattakia, Syria. He was a teenager when the Syrian war started. He said that at that time …
Migrant centers in Bosnia: the situation is untenable
Note: This article was originally published in a newsletter by ACT Alliance. It is republished with their permission. ———————————————- Bosnia saw a spike in new migrant and refugee arrivals in 2018. However, in 2020 the situation has escalated. Many migrants, including children, have been forced to live in outside makeshift settlements facing the harsh winter. Jovana Savic, CWS’s Regional Coordinator …