Refugees and migrants on Western Balkans route at increasing risk – UNHCR
Some are registering for asylum in the Balkans while others headed onwards, but both groups face mounting danger.
GENEVA, June 12 (UNHCR) - Increasing numbers of refugees and migrants using the less well known "Western Balkans route" to reach Europe are facing growing risks, including abuse, violence, and accidents while walking along remote train tracks.
The UN refugee agency added on Friday there had been a dramatic increase in men, women and children walking for days along this route, which is much less in the spotlight than Mediterranean sea crossings
Some are registering for asylum in the Balkans while others headed onwards, but both groups face mounting danger, according to UNHCR.
"The situation is particularly difficult in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia [FYROM] where refugees and migrants follow rail tracks and mountain routes, walking for days exposed to train accidents, natural elements and to abuse and threats from smugglers and criminal networks," UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards told a press briefing in Geneva.
Between 2012 and 2014 the number of people registering their intention to seek asylum in the Western Balkans increased from 5,000 to 20,000.
This year the numbers have risen still further, with over 22,000 asylum claims lodged in Serbia alone in the first five months of the year, six times higher than in the same period of 2014. In May alone, 10,000 new asylum-seekers were registered by the authorities.
UNHCR says authorities and civil society in southern Serbia are battling to provide basic humanitarian aid, registration and accommodation for around 200 asylum-seekers that approach them every day for help, having crossed the border from FYROM.
"We estimate that at least an equal number of people potentially in need of international protection forego registration, have been moving through the region irregularly, with the help of smugglers. The vast majority of them seek to reach western Europe crossing into Hungary," Edwards added.
The majority of people using this route are mainly from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Eritrea and Somalia. They mostly come via Greece, and with the recent surge in sea arrivals there, the number of people undertaking this journey is expected to grow.
UNHCR has been advocating for improvements to the asylum systems in this region since the early 1990s as existing capacities are inadequate for the scale of arrivals. It says the current situation is critical and will require further support, including through joint efforts with the European Union, national governments, and NGOs.
Related news and stories
Ukraine's refugees find long-term support in Europe's host countries
Earthquake survivors in Türkiye count the devastating toll
Twelve years on, Syrian refugees face deepening debt and hunger
Twelve years on, Syrian refugees face deepening debt and hunger
Visiting earthquake-ravaged areas of Türkiye and Syria, UNHCR's Grandi urges more support for survivors trying to rebuild
UNHCR, IOM welcome Spain's expedited resettlement of Syrian refugees from Türkiye in earthquake aftermath
Your search for « macedonia » matched 1648 results. Only the first 1,000 results are displayed. Displaying page 5 of 112 pages.
-
FYR of Macedonia: rate of returns remains low
16 Oct 2001 ... The rate of refugee returns from Kosovo to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) remains low, at less than 100 people per day. This reflects slow progress in the peace process. In all, ...... -
FYR of Macedonia: hundreds continue to flee to Kosovo
22 Jun 2001 ... today from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, fleeing fighting along the border areas. ... in Kosovo and another 5,000 into southern Serbia since fighting intensified this year in Macedonia. ...... -
FYR of Macedonia: ethnic Albanians continue to flee
12 Jun 2001 ... Thousands of ethnic Albanians continue to flee the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia amid clashes between rebels and government forces and rising tension between Macedonia's ethnic groups. On ...... -
FYR of Macedonia: new arrivals dip again
28 May 1999 ... New arrivals of Kosovar refugees in the FYR of Macedonia have again fallen to low levels. After ... a new refugee camp site in north-western Macedonia, near the existing Cegrane site. The new ...... -
FYR of Macedonia: UNHCR urges all sides on peace agreement
14 Aug 2001 ... UNHCR welcomes the Peace Agreement for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) which was signed in Skopje yesterday by the leaders of the four main political parties. We hope that the peace ...... -
FYR of Macedonia: groups still fleeing Tetovo
21 Aug 2001 ... A week after a peace agreement was signed in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), small groups of ethnic Macedonians continue to flee the troubled town of Tetovo, where intermittent ...... -
FYR of Macedonia: daily arrivals dwindling
11 May 2001 ... Macedonia is now nearly 9,000, but daily arrivals have dwindled to between 350 and 400 people a day. That's down from a high of 3,500 who crossed on Monday. Most people say they are leaving Macedonia ...... -
FYR of Macedonia: returns to Tetovo
19 Oct 2001 ... homes in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's Tetovo region, where they are in the minority. ... Since late June, some 60,000 refugees have returned to FYROM and another 20,000 remain in ...... -
UNHCR Global Report 2003 - The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
1 Jun 2004 ... UNHCR Global Report 2003 422 The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Main objectives G ive asylum-seekers and ref- ugees access to a fair and efficient ......