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Protection and emergency care for vulnerable and unaccompanied minors


The number of migrants transiting through Bosnia and Herzegovina remains high with more than 10% 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 the much-needed support to this vulnerable group of migrants and to safeguard their rights.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Humanitarian Assistance & DRR
Migration
Protection, access & security
Migration generally (development aspects and partnerships)
01.07.2024 - 30.06.2025
 CHF  50’000
The project in brief
Background Since 2018, more than 150,000 migrants passed through Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), while only in 2023 the number of migrants transiting the country reached its record of more than 34,000. Around 11,6% of these are unaccompanied minors. The BiH 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.
Objectives To enhance the protection and well-being of the most vulnerable unaccompanied minors and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in BiH.
Target groups Unaccompanied minors and asylum-seeking children in BiH
Medium-term outcomes
  • 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.
Results

Expected results:  

  • 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.


Results from previous phases:   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.


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
Swiss Non-profit Organisation
  • Caritas Switzerland


Other partners
  • The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)
  • The Centre for Social Work of Sarajevo Canton
  • The BiH Ministry of Security
Coordination with other projects and actors
  • Caritas BiH
  • UN agencies (IOM, UNICEF, UNHCR)
  • Sarajevo Canton and Una-Sana Canton authorities
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    50’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    50’379 Total project since first phase Budget inclusive project partner CHF   50’000
Project phases Phase 1 01.07.2024 - 30.06.2025   (Current phase)
  • Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation EMERGENCY RESPONSE
    GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
    Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation
    Material relief assistance and services
    Facilitation of orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility
    Cross-cutting topics Human rights
    Aid Type Project and programme contribution
    Project number

    7F11424

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Last update 30.07.2024