Serbia

UNHCR in Serbia operates under the coordination of the Representation for Central and South-East Europe (RCSEE). The RCSEE is based in Budapest and supports operations in the region through a range of field presences and operational modalities.

Faced with a growing number of asylum-seekers from Eastern Europe, Africa and the neighbouring countries in the early 1970s, the then Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia invited UNHCR to establish an operation in the country. The office has been based in Belgrade since 1976.

Responding to the arrival of asylum-seekers from Eastern Europe, Africa and neighboring countries in the early 1970s, the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia invited UNHCR to establish its presence in the country. The office has been based in Belgrade since 1976.

UNHCR provided protection and assistance to mandate refugees until the violent dissolution of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s, when more than 550,000 refugees fled to Serbia from the former republics. In 1999, another 200,000 people were internally displaced to central Serbia from Kosovo.

During the 2015 European refugee crisis, UNHCR supported Serbia in addressing the protection and humanitarian needs of over one million refugees, mainly from Syria. Following the lifting of the emergency in late 2016, UNHCR’s work shifted to adapt to the changing situation and the longer-term needs of refugees and asylum-seekers.

Today, UNHCR Representation in Serbia works closely with state institutions, NGOs and local communities to strengthen the national asylum system, prevent and resolve statelessness, provide legal and protection support, and advocate for durable solutions.