prijava
SARAJEVO, January 24 (FENA) - EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ambassador Johann Sattler, visited a temporary reception center in Blažuj today, where he was briefed on the state and progress of the work in the center.
He said that he is satisfied with the situation, that it was much better than in the previous period, that authorities are more engaged, but more work should be done to improve capacity.
“Improve existing capacities, work on expanding them. The European Union is with you, ready to support. So far, we have secured EUR 35 million to address migration issues,” Sattler stressed.
He emphasized that current capacities in BiH can meet the needs of six thousand people, and that it needs to work on the capacity for another two thousand people outside the reception centers.
“I found it important to come and visit Blažuj, five weeks after its opening. Various organizations and institutions had 24 hours to prepare for the arrival of migrants from the Vučjak location,” Sattler pointed out.
He stressed that he was impressed with the work and joint work of the various agencies.
“I think this is a good example of how migration can be answered very quickly and without any hysteria. Another positive effect is that we employ about 20 people from the local community,” said Sattler.
On behalf of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Project Coordinator for Migration Management in BiH, Dražan Rozić, emphasized that their work in Blažuj is in the last phase and that they will finish the planned capacity in seven days.
He stated that 600 of 750 migrants were accommodated in housing containers and the rest in renovated buildings in the reception center.
He added that the planned capacity is 1.300 migrants, but this is still in the process of securing funds.
“We have all the necessary facilities,” Rozić emphasized.
They are currently working on establishing a kitchen and dining area in the reception center Blažuj, which is a priority, and afterwards social facilities should be established.
(FENA) A. B.
