HIGHLIGHTS AND STATISTICS
Tragically, the 17 year old boy from Afghanistan who suffered very serious electric burns at Subotica train station (see Update 21-23 November) passed away on 26 November at the hospital in Novi Sad. His relatives living in Europe are liaising with authorities, UNHCR partner HCIT and the deceased’s family in Afghanistan for burial arrangements. Another young man from Afghanistan lost his life on 25 November, near Adasevci Transit Centre, believed to have committed suicide.
Authorities, UNHCR, and partners encountered a stable number of around 6,400 refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants. Based on all available data, 52% are from Afghanistan, 17% from Iraq, 16% from Syria, and 15% from other countries, while 42% are children, 40% adult men and 19% adult women. Over 5,100 (i.e. 80%) were accommodated in thirteen governmental facilities, while the remainder were counted sleeping rough in Belgrade City centre or at the border with Hungary.
With all Asylum (AC) and Transit Centres (TC) fully occupied (see chart), the police continued to refer newly registered asylum-seekers to the Reception Centre (RC) of Presevo and as of 25 November to a new RC in Dimitrovgrad. Supporting access to better accommodation and services as well as the decongesting of Belgrade city centre, UNHCR and partners transported some 100 newly registered asylum seekers from Belgrade to Presevo and Dimitrovgrad RCs.
According to health authorities, the infliction of refugees/migrants with lice/scabies has improved but not yet been eradicated. Another round of treatment and disinfection is planned for all three TCs in the West and RC Presevo.
Responding to colder weather and the body lice situation, over the last four days alone UNHCR and partners distributed over 300 UNHCR blankets, 165 bed linen sets, 300 winter boots, over 500 raincoats and 370 winter jackets, in addition to many other items of clothing for adults and children in centres throughout the country.
216 refugees/migrants registered intent to seek asylum, increasing the total for the month of November to 1,392, and for the year to 11,730.