Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the last transit corridors used by people on the move (PoM) to reach the EU. 3,076 migrants and asylum-seekers arrived irregularly in BiH in August, representing a 47% increase since the previous month and a 78% increase compared to August 2021. Afghanistan and Burundi are the two largest nationalities represented among PoM in Bosnia. Around 19% of PoM stay for less than two weeks, and 4% stay for 12 to 24 months before they continue their journey. Many travel by bus from Sarajevo to the northwest of Bosnia, to towns like Bihać and Velika Kladuša, before attempting to cross into Croatia.

Although there are various reception centres, the vast majority of people stay in informal camps so as to avoid the overcrowding and inhumane conditions of the reception centres. In September 2022, Bosnia and Herzegovina joined the EU Civil Protection Mechanism as a participating state. Bosnia and Herzegovina was already benefiting from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism as a receiving country. Since early 2018, the EU has provided €18,8 million in humanitarian aid directly to Bosnia and Herzegovina, yet problems in camps across the country remain. Food security is a major concern, and gaps in service provisions are glaring. Therefore, it is vital that grassroots groups receive the support they need from the international community in order to continue to fill these gaps.