Protection and emergency care for vulnerable and unaccompanied minors
The number of migrants transiting through Bosnia and Herzegovina remains high with more than 25% 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 adequate support to this vulnerable group of migrants and to safeguard their rights.
| Paese/Regione | Tema | Periodo | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bosnia e Erzegovina |
Aiuto d'emergenza e protezione Migrazione e sviluppo
Protezione, accesso & sicurezza
Migrazione in generale (aspetti relativi allo sviluppo e partenariati) |
01.04.2025
- 31.07.2026 |
CHF 500’000
|
- Vulnerable unaccompanied minors and asylum-seeking children gain stable living conditions, access to education, emotional well-being, and a path to social integration.
- Integration and sustainability of support services: the Sarajevo Reception Cen-ter'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 can cover basic needs (access to sufficient food, water, sanitation, shelter, clothing, protection from violence, essential medical care, counselling and education services).
- Vulnerable unaccompanied minors and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children are supported to integrate into the local community.
- Strengthened capacities of state authorities to facilitate the integration of services into the Government's Official Referral Mechanism.
- Policy dialogue with the Ministry of Security and cantonal authorities, together with Swiss Embassy, UN agencies, and the EU Delegation, to develop intermediary and long-term solutions for sustainable support of unaccompanied minors.
- Caritas Svizzera
- Sarajevo Canton authorities
- Caritas Bosnia and Herzegovina
- UN agencies (IOM, UNICEF, UNHCR)
- EU Delegation
-
Settore in base alle categorie del Comitato di Aiuto allo sviluppo (DAC) dell'OCSE EMERGENCY RESPONSE
GOVERNO E SOCIETÀ CIVILE
Sotto-Settore in base alle categorie del Comitato di Aiuto allo sviluppo (DAC) dell'OCSE Assistenza materiale e servizi d'emergenza
Facilitation of orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility
Temi trasversali Diritti dell'uomo
Tipo di aiuto Contributo al progetto e al programma
Numero del progetto 7F11424
| Contesto | Since 2018, more than 170,000 migrants passed through Bosnia and Herzegovina, while in 2024 the number of migrants transiting the country was more than 25,000. Around 25% of these are unaccompanied minors. The Bosnia and Herzegovina 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. |
| Obiettivi | To enhance the protection and well-being of the most vulnerable unaccompanied minors and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in Bosnia and Herzegovina. |
| Gruppi target | Unaccompanied minors and asylum-seeking children in Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Effetti a medio termine |
|
| Risultati |
Risultati principali attesi: Risultati fasi precedenti: According to assessments carried out in temporary reception centres for migrants in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 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 Bosnia and Herzegovina, until Caritas Switzerland and Jesuit Refugee Service opened the Sarajevo Reception Centre (safe house) for vulnerable migrant minors in 2023. SDC has been supporting its functioning since June 2024, enabling vital services to be provided for 54 minors. |
| Direzione/Ufficio responsabile |
DSC |
| Partner del progetto |
Partner contrattuale Organizzazione svizzera senza scopo di lucro Altri partner The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) The Centre for Social Work of Sarajevo Canton The Bosnia and Herzegovina Ministry of Security |
| Coordinamento con altri progetti e attori |
|
| Budget | Fase in corso Budget Svizzera CHF 500’000 Budget svizzero attualmente già speso CHF 288’381 Progetto totale dalla prima fase Budget Svizzera CHF 50’000 Budget inclusi partner del progetto CHF 550’000 |
| Fasi del progetto | Fase 2 01.04.2025 - 31.07.2026 (Fase in corso) Fase 1 01.07.2024 - 31.03.2025 (Active) |
