Protection and emergency care for vulnerable and unaccompanied minors

• 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.

Risultati principali attesi:  

• 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.

Risultati fasi precedenti:   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.

• 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