The EU Delegation is ready, at the request of the Serbian Government, to provide approximately € 400,000 to help prepare temporary accommodation for refugees in Belgrade. An NGO partner to manage this project has already been identified.
This will bring emergency EU funding for Serbia in dealing with the ongoing refugee crisis to nearly €2.5 million. Additional assistance is being discussed. The EU will continue supporting the reform of Serbia’s asylum system and improving border controls.
The Head of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Serbia, Ambassador Michael Davenport stated:
The EU is pleased to be able to provide this further assistance to Serbia. The Serbian Government has responded positively and responsibly to the refugee crisis. As with the massive response to last year’s floods, the EU is Serbia’s main partner in meeting these fresh challenges. The EU has from the start supported Serbia’s efforts, offering help to the refugees, channelled mainly through the ICRC and Serbian Red Cross. They are doing a magnificent job. The EU stands ready to provide further help based on the Government’s needs assessment. What we face is a Europe-wide challenge. Our duty is to find sustainable solutions in a spirit of solidarity. Serbia is playing its part.