Protection and emergency care for vulnerable and unaccompanied minors
The number of migrants transiting through Bosnia and Herzegovina remains high with more than 10% of them being unaccompanied minors in need of essential care and special protection due to their vulnerabilities. As the state system is not yet able to fully address their needs, assistance from external actors remains crucial to provide the much-needed support to this vulnerable group of migrants and to safeguard their rights.
| Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
Humanitarian Assistance & DRR Migration
Protection, access & security
Migration generally (development aspects and partnerships) |
01.07.2024
- 30.06.2025 |
CHF 50’000
|
- Essential and comprehensive support for vulnerable unaccompanied minors and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children throughout their stay or transit (if applicable) through BiH is enhanced.
- Unaccompanied minors and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children residing in temporary shelters in Ušivak and Borići have experienced improved mental health, social skills, and better integration into their communities.
- Sarajevo Reception Centre's services are enhanced, and their integration into local systems is facilitated.
- Vulnerable unaccompanied minors and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children live in a household that is able to cover basic needs (access to sufficient food, water, sanitation, shelter, clothing, protection from violence).
- Ongoing support in temporary shelters in Ušivak and Borići is enhanced.
- Collaboration with relevant local institutions is enhanced.
- Governmental capacities are improved.
- Vulnerable unaccompanied minors and asylum-seeking children are supported to integrate into the local community.
- Caritas Switzerland
- The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)
- The Centre for Social Work of Sarajevo Canton
- The BiH Ministry of Security
- Caritas BiH
- UN agencies (IOM, UNICEF, UNHCR)
- Sarajevo Canton and Una-Sana Canton authorities
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation EMERGENCY RESPONSE
GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Material relief assistance and services
Facilitation of orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility
Cross-cutting topics Human rights
Aid Type Project and programme contribution
Project number 7F11424
| Background | Since 2018, more than 150,000 migrants passed through Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), while only in 2023 the number of migrants transiting the country reached its record of more than 34,000. Around 11,6% of these are unaccompanied minors. The BiH Ministry of Security estimates that at least 5% of unaccompanied minors are in a situation of vulnerability, meaning they either have been or are at risk of being subjected to physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, exploitation, human trafficking, neglect, or abandonment. |
| Objectives | To enhance the protection and well-being of the most vulnerable unaccompanied minors and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in BiH. |
| Target groups | Unaccompanied minors and asylum-seeking children in BiH |
| Medium-term outcomes |
|
| Results |
Expected results: Results from previous phases: According to assessments carried out in temporary reception centres for migrants in BiH, based on internationally established standards and vulnerability categorizations, unaccompanied minors require relocation from the reception centres where they currently reside, due to inadequate and insufficient accommodation capacities, frequent turnover of other users, and absence of care addressing psychosocial needs. Due to limited state capacity, there was no separate unit for housing these minors in BiH, until Caritas Switzerland and Jesuit Refugee Service opened the Sarajevo Reception Centre (safe house) for vulnerable migrant minors in 2023. |
| Directorate/federal office responsible |
SDC |
| Project partners |
Contract partner Swiss Non-profit Organisation Other partners |
| Coordination with other projects and actors |
|
| Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 50’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 50’379 Total project since first phase Budget inclusive project partner CHF 50’000 |
| Project phases | Phase 1 01.07.2024 - 30.06.2025 (Current phase) |
