More than 6,500 Ukrainians entered Serbia in 15 days: "We do not expect any mass influx"

In the period from February 25 until March 9, a total of 6,784 citizens of Ukraine entered the Republic of Serbia, and 5,721 Ukrainians left, it has been announced at the 26th session of the Working Group for Mixed Migration Flows, chaired by the president of the Working Group, Minister of Interior Aleksandar Vulin.

"Persons who registered residence did so mostly using private addresses, so these are people who sought help and refuge with their relatives and friends. I note that for now we do not expect any mass influx of people from Ukraine," Interior Minister Vulin stressed and added that Serbia is ready to adequately respond to all challenges and consequences that may be caused by the current crisis in Ukraine.

The meeting also discussed and defined the ways in which our country will solve the problems of migration flows caused by the crisis in Ukraine. To that end, the Working Group for Mixed Migration Flows also adopted a plan for admission of citizens of Ukraine and vulnerable populations who have left Ukraine.

Members of the Working Group submitted a report to Aleksandar Vulin regarding the current situation in centers for migrants and asylum seekers and trends in migration flows from Asia and Africa during 2021.

As the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration confirmed for Telegraf.rs earlier, a certain number of Ukrainian refugees have already inquired about accommodation options.

"For now, we do not have accommodated users, but several dozen refugees from Ukraine who are staying with friends or relatives in Serbia, called the Commissariat (064 8283171) to inquire about the possibilities to be accommodated with us and the types of assistance they can receive," we have been told then by the Commissariat.

The first users will be accommodated in the renovated center in Vranje.

"The Commissariat for Refugees and Migration can immediately make available up to more than a thousand places for refugees from Ukraine, in the centers it manages. The centers are located throughout Serbia. In addition to accommodation, food, clothing, footwear, hygiene packages, baby food... it is possible for users to be provided with other types of assistance, such as legal and psychological assistance, full medical care, inclusion of children in the Serbian education system and more," they added.

The Commissariat for Refugees and Migration has sent instructions to its commissioners in every municipality in Serbia on how they can provide assistance to refugees from Ukraine. The instruction states that, in accordance with the new situation in Ukraine, a number of people can be expected to turn to them for information and assistance.

The commissioners were provided with forms to be filled out, that are used to express the needs of the persons who address them (accommodation, emergency, health care, clothing, footwear).

It is especially stressed that, in case an unaccompanied minor appears, they should immediately inform the competent center for social welfare.

(Telegraf.rs)