Serbia: Obrenovac Refugee Camp Improvements

Asylum Resource Center Opened for Service: Q3 2018

November 01, 2018

Dr. Dragana Marković, Dr Milica Radonjić, Dr. Julija Ljuština, Milan Pantelić, Stevan Ilijevski I

Serbia Initiative Reports

Our parners organized a movie night at the new movie theater in the renovated building

RMF Balkans

Recognizing the Need

Currently, there are about 800 refugees and migrants residing at Obrenovac Transit Centre. The living conditions of the camp are poor due to overcrowding, which leads to unsanitary spaces and lack of room for resting, privacy, education, and socialization. The mental health of many refugees has been seriously impacted by this lifestyle, as well as by uncertainty about the duration of their confinement to such conditions. As many young male refugees are suffering from severe mental disorders, they require a safe environment where they can socialize and be entertained.

Obrenovac Refugee Camp Improvements

Implementing the Plan

RMF Serbia has renovated the first floor of government building 11 and the reception area at the entrance of the camp. The project was completed at the beginning of July. The reconstruction included upgrading the existing infrastructure, installing sanitary facilities, and providing basic furniture and necessary equipment in line with international standards. One room was transformed into a computer room, now called the Asylum Resource Center, where refugees can access the internet and get in touch with their families and friends. The RMF team also built a movie theater with a projector in the largest room on the floor. In addition to its entertainment value, the theater may also be used as a conference room for educational workshops and classes such as language courses, basic computer skill courses, etc. All organizations in the camp may use the theater, however, it is required that employees from the Commissariat and Police are present at all times.
Obrenovac Refugee Camp Improvements

The Asylum Resource Center (ARC) opened for service August 1, and the working hours of the center are 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Tuesday to Saturday. There are seven laptops with all necessary devices, such as headphones and computer mice, along with seven computer tables and chairs. In order to make the computer room accessible to all, use of the ARC is limited to one hour a day per person. The RMF team and representatives from the Commissariat monitor and record entries and exits from the ARC. From August to September, 1,128 migrants visited the ARC, most of the whom were from Afghanistan (582 entries) and Pakistan (464 entries), and 82 entries were made by people from Syria, Cuba and Bangladesh. The ARC has significantly improved the quality of the social lives of refugees and migrants in the camp, as well as providing opportunities for education and entertainment.

Other renovated rooms are used as offices for our employees and for the storage of medicines and medical and dental equipment. The entry room serves as a reception area where refugees and migrants must register before they are allowed into the camp.

Mohammad at the Asylum Resource Center

ARC in Use

Mohammad Adil Mehar

Mohammad Adil Mehar, 21 years old, was born in Kashmir. He fled Pakistan and left his family behind in 2016 for economic reasons and came to Serbia via Iran, Turkey, and Macedonia. He has been at Obrenovac for 9 months already, and he hopes to make it to Milan, Italy. In Italy, he would like to continue his education in the financial sector. At the moment, he only has a primary school degree. He wants to find a good job that will help his family who stayed in Pakistan. He dreams of having a big family and a normal life and leaving all bad things behind.

Donate

Improve the living conditions of refugees and migrants in Obrenovac Reception and Transit Centre through renovation and ongoing maintenance of facilities.
Provide ongoing opportunities for education, entertainment, and socialization at the renovated facilities.

In order to improve the quality of life of refugees and migrants at Obrenovac Reception and Transit Centre, RMF Balkans renovated the first floor of Building 11 at the camp, as well as the reception area. The reconstruction included upgrading existing infrastructure, installing sanitary facilities, and providing basic furniture and necessary equipment.

RMF also built a movie theater and a computer room, called the Asylum Resource Centre (ARC). These facilities have given refugees and migrants greater access to both education and entertainment, as well as enabling them to connect with their families and friends.