Vučjak - Archivio IPSIA
We publish the comment received from IOM to the article we published last September 9th entitled “Bosnia and Herzegovina, the challenges of reception”
The article inaccurately implies that Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has been in a prolonged state of emergency since the migration surge began in 2017.
Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) remained largely on the periphery of the main migration route until December 2017, when the country experienced a sudden surge in migrant flows. This surge marked a moment of emergency for BiH, particularly in 2018, when the country became a key transit point along the "Western Balkans route” and experienced an increase by 188% of arrivals recorded.
In response to the crisis, BiH authorities moved quickly to open emergency reception centers to accommodate the rapidly growing number of migrants. These centers were established to provide basic necessities such as food, shelter, water, sanitation, and protection services, and IOM was instrumental in ensuring that international standards were upheld in these facilities. From the outset, IOM, the UN, and other partners have been committed to advocating for the respect of human rights and dignified living conditions for all migrants, calling on the authorities to address issues in camps, particularly in places like Vočjak .
However, your article overlooks the significant progress made since then. By 2020, the situation had evolved, and BiH began transitioning from an emergency-driven response to a more structured and sustainable approach to migration management. The number of migrants passing through BiH has stabilized, and the country is no longer in an emergency phase.
Since 2018, with support from the European Union and other donors, BiH has developed a functioning reception system under the leadership of the Ministry of Security, in close collaboration with IOM, UN agencies, and NGOs. This system provides migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees with access to food, water, sanitation, psychological counseling, education, and healthcare services. Furthermore, access to protection and identification of solutions are systematically available upon reception.
The country has made substantial strides in moving towards sustainable migration management. Temporary Reception Centers (TRCs) continue to offer essential services, and there has been a significant expansion of health, mental health, and protection services for vulnerable groups. IOM also continues to provide vital assistance to migrants outside of TRCs through mobile teams, ensuring those in transit or informal accommodations receive necessary support.
It is also important to clarify that there has been no proliferation of informal camps outside the TRCs, as suggested. A recent survey conducted in July 2024 revealed that 91% of migrants interviewed had been accommodated in a TRC at some point during their stay in BiH. Only a small percentage (3%) of respondents indicated they would not register in any TRCs.
BiH is now focusing on a long-term migration governance model, and IOM remains committed to supporting the country’s authorities in ensuring migration management is rights-based, humane, and in line with international standards.
On the living conditions in the Temporary Reception Centers
It is essential to emphasize that IOM and its partners have always prioritized the human rights and dignity of migrants in all operations. While some reception centers in the past did not meet adequate standards, as noted in your article, it was through the advocacy of IOM, UN agencies, and other partners that these centers were closed. Since then, the focus has been on significantly improving conditions in the remaining Temporary Reception Centers (TRCs).
Currently, IOM, as the lead agency for Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM), co-manages three reception centers in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Usivak, Blazuj, and Borici) in partnership with the Service for Foreigners Affairs (SFA). These centers, along with a fourth operational center in BiH, are managed to ensure full compliance with international standards. As of September 15th, the total accommodation capacity across these centers stands at 4,592 beds, while the number of migrants in need of shelter is 1,636—demonstrating that current capacity exceeds demand.
IOM, in collaboration with its partners and local authorities, has worked relentlessly to ensure that migrants have access to essential services—shelter, food, sanitation, medical care, and protection—while fostering a sense of dignity and respect during their stay. To maintain and improve service quality, IOM conducts regular satisfaction surveys and uses feedback from residents to guide improvements. Additionally, community consultative groups and complaints mechanisms are in place to involve residents in the governance of the centers, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs addressed. The most recent Beneficiary Satisfaction Survey (conducted from December 2023 to February 2024) indicated that 88% of respondents agreed that the TRCs provide dignified living conditions.
Moreover, IOM places a strong emphasis on staff training, regularly conducting sessions on topics such as mental health, cultural mediation, and the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. These efforts ensure that staff are equipped to treat residents with the highest level of care and respect.
It is also crucial to highlight the ongoing transition from an emergency-driven response to a more sustainable migration management system. The emergency phase is now behind us, and collective efforts are focused on developing long-term solutions.
This transition also aligns with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s move toward state-led migration management. IOM, along with other international organizations such as UNHCR, UNICEF, and UNFPA, continues to support the BiH authorities in building their capacity to manage migration flows independently. Through its new Strategy, IOM plans to gradually transfer the responsibility of camp management to the authorities, by providing technical support, capacities, tools, and resources to strengthen national ownership of the response. This includes enhancing the state's ability to provide protection for vulnerable groups, such as victims of trafficking, unaccompanied minors, and survivors of gender-based violence (GBV). Together, we are working towards a future where migration is managed with both efficiency and humanity, ensuring the dignity and rights of all individuals involved.
On the Lipa Temporary Reception Center
TRC Lipa was opened on the 19.11.2021 thanks to funding from the EU, Austria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the Holy See and support from both State and local authorities. Those who are accommodated are migrants in need of humanitarian assistance and protection. Identification, registration, and identification of solutions as per profile are implemented in the TRC Lipa in full coordination with all State and non-State available institutions.
All services rendered in Lipa are managed by the Service for Foreigners Affairs with technical support from IOM and other humanitarian partners. The plan is for IOM to hand over full responsibility of the TRC to the State authorities in the course of the next two years.
IOM and all the humanitarian partners are not involved in the building nor management of the detention cells in Lipa. IOM actively promotes alternatives to administrative detention of migrants and does not establish a fixed presence in detention facilities.
The recently built detention cells are built by ICMPD and should be managed by SFA. IOM and the rest of the humanitarian partners are not involved in this detention area.
