COLLECTIVE CENTER FOR MIGRANTS OPENED IN PRESEVO

8. July 2015.

A collective reception center for migrants was opened in Presevo in the reconstructed building of the tobacco company. The migrants that arrive there will be able to obtain food, medical assistance, housing, as well as a special rooms for mothers with children.

At the same time, migrants will, in accordance with a speedy procedure, get the relevant documents at the Center

In the presence of numerous representatives of governmental institutions and the President of the Coordination Body, Zoran Stankovic, the Centre was opened by the Minister of Labor, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs, Aleksandar Vulin, and by the Head of the Presidency of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Serbia, Hans Soder Friedrich.

Minister Vulin, who is also the Chairman of the Working Group for solving the issues of mixed migration flows, said that by the opening of the Centre, Serbia had shown that it was a serious country.

“We act as an organized state. This country takes care of every human being who finds himself/herself in its territory. It’s less important why he/she has found himself/herself in the country, but we are here to provide them medical care, food and water”, said Minister Vulin.
In addition to the points for the reception of and providing assistance to migrants, also opened at the Center was a completely renovated and air-conditioned room for mothers with children.

The Head of the Presidency of the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees Mr. Soder was pleased with the opening of the Centre and announced that the UNHCR would continue to assist Serbia.

“This will provide to migrants, who walk along poor roads for days, much better conditions for the processing of their claims and for accommodation and first aid", said Mr. Soder.

The Mayor of Presevo Ragmi Mustafa said that the government, the people and various institutions had helped migrants and that the opening of the Center was important to all migrants, so that all of them could be in one place, were they would have decent conditions.

“All of them will be coming to the Centre, so that they won’t any longer be on the streets, in yards, on the sidewalks and at restaurants. We are grateful to everyone who helped with the opening of the Centre”, Mr. Mustafa pointed out.

According to the Red Cross branch office in Presevo, between 800 and 1, 000 migrants were daily arriving in Presevo over the last few days.

Source: B92 and Coordination Body