Serbia: Refugee and Asylum Seeker Support

Project Achievements

Impact for this Period

• RMF Serbia registration finalized on March 31, 2016. Paperwork and certificate received on April 1, 2016.
• Contacted the Commissariat, meeting scheduled with the Commissioner to obtain approval to work inside the refugee camps within Serbia.
• Developed a fieldwork protocol for collaborating with other humanitarian actors.
• Continued to disseminate our hotline number to other humanitarian service providers. Flyers in Farsi and Arabic are to be developed.
• Facilitated ongoing support and induction with the project coordinator/medical officer.
• Procured medical supplies and ordered staff uniforms.
• Facilitated the procurement of Foundation legal stamps.
• DRC has expressed an interest in working with us.
• Commenced 24-hour shifts for RMF’s medical teams on March 29th (7am-3pm, 3pm-11pm and 11pm–7am). RMF is now the only NGO providing 24/7 access to health care.
• RMF team has a hotline and is receiving requests and referrals from MSF, Praxis and the Asylum Info Center.

Challenges

Creating Solutions to Needs in Serbia

• Most NGO’s have taken their translators and interpreters to Greece, leaving a depleted skilled and trained workforce to effectively address the refugee crisis in Serbia. RMF currently has one Arabic and one Farsi translator; the other translators are being borrowed from the Asylum Info Center with whom we are collaborating closely. This relationship is working well as we have doctors and a vehicle and the AIC have staff skilled in protection outreach work, and lawyers. On the night shift (11pm – 7am) our team together with the AIC team are supporting each other’s outreach work. We are actively recruiting an additional 4 translators.

• Post rape kits, including the distribution of PEP to prevent HIV infection after rape and emergency contraceptives are not available in Serbia. It is hoped that the medical outreach would switch its operations to a professionally converted mobile clinic where proper consultations can be facilitated (cost of the van is approximately 40,000 euros).

Opportunities

Areas in Need of RMF

• Once meetings with the Ministry of Health and Commissariat have been facilitated the teams will be responding to the Eastern border and Šid in the North West bordering with Croatia, as well as the 7 Asylum Centers located throughout Serbia.
• The majority of international NGOs have been pulling out of Serbia and relocating to Greece. This is leaving gaps in the current response within Serbia. Praxis, a local NGO, providing 24/7 outreach support of food and NFIs, will close their project this month. If NFIs could be procured our teams would be able to assist in a more holistic way by providing blankets in the evening, clothes and shoes as needed, as well as water.
• We are seeking the funding to print brochures in Farsi and Arabic explaining the asylum seeking process, referral pathways and other protection focused information. Smugglers are advising all refugees to not trust anyone and to not communicate with us, but a brochure could encourage the facilitation of discussion and to ensure that refugees are getting all the information they require.
• Support for children particularly the procurement of diapers, baby formula and bottles. Also possibly a small kit for them containing a small toy and drawing block. SHL has a youth fund of maximum award being 2000 euros; RMF will apply for this funding to procure these small kits for children to travel with. Each kit will cost 5 euros to assemble; this funding should make 400 kits. Approaching refugees with something to offer them facilitates communication and encourages a relationship of trust.
• A medical fund should be set up to assist refugees in procuring prescription drugs which must be paid for.