Serbia

We have worked in Serbia since 1991, when the country was part of Yugoslavia. Since 2014, our teams have provided medical and psychological assistance for asylum seekers, refugees and migrants.

Today, the Republic of Serbia remains a country of transit. Currently, there are around 5,000 refugees and migrants in the territory of Serbia – some live in centres across the country while others are sleeping rough.

We provide medical and psychological assistance to asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in the northern border areas of Serbia. As people attempt to cross the borders, many sustain injuries from beatings by batons and sticks, as well as irritations from tear gas and pepper spray. We assist people stranded in appalling conditions and carry out medical consultations for violence-related trauma.

Our activities in 2021 in the Balkans

Data and information from the International Activity Report 2021

13

STAFF IN 2021 (FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT)

€0.5 M

0.5M

EXPENDITURE IN 2021

1991

YEAR MSF FIRST WORKED IN THE COUNTRY

MSF IN THE BALKANS IN 2021 Thousands of people attempted to cross through the Balkans in 2021, in search of safety in other European destinations, despite reports of illegal pushbacks and indiscriminate violence by state authorities.

In Serbia, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) assisted migrants and refugees living outside official accommodation along the northern borders with Croatia, Hungary and Romania. Through mobile clinics, we offered medical and mental health care, as well as social support. In February 2021, MSF donated 2.5 tons of essential relief items, such as blankets and hygiene kits, to civil society organisations in Serbia to be distributed to people in need.

Between January and September, we also had teams working along the border areas of Bosnia-Herzegovina, providing medical and mental health care to victims of violence.

Throughout the year, and in both locations, our patients included victims of physical violence reportedly perpetrated by border authorities. We also treated people whose health had been affected by low temperatures in the region, poor living conditions, significant gaps in medical assistance and a lack of food, shelter, clean clothes and hygiene facilities.