Migrants at Lipa receive clothes, food, sleeping bags, more citizens gather near Bira

BIHAC, (Patria) - Hundreds of migrants at Lipa are awaiting news about a possible transfer to another temporary location after international organizations withdrew from the camp last week, which lacks adequate conditions for migrants during winter.

In the afternoon, representatives of international organizations IOM, Red Cross, and UNHCR distributed winter clothing, sleeping bags, and food to migrants at Lipa.

"Alleviating suffering, but not a solution. Providing adequate shelter," wrote Peter Van der Auweraert, Head of the IOM Mission, on Twitter.

In accordance with the conclusion of the Civil Protection Staff of the City of Bihac and with the aim of helping illegal migrants residing at the Lipa camp site, members of GSS Bihac, along with Civil Protection Bihac, Red Cross Bihac, Bihac Fire Department, and residents of Veliki Lug settlement, have begun setting up tents.

Migrants are still in what remains of the Lipa camp. The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina made a decision this morning at the proposal of the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina to temporarily relocate migrants to Bira, which was closed at the end of September. Cantonal and local authorities have stated that they will not implement this decision and that another solution is being sought. They offered to transfer containers from Bira to Lipa.

An increasing number of citizens are gathering in front of Bira, awaiting developments.

Tents were sent to Lipa today and are expected to be set up.

The European Union has asked the BiH authorities to open Bira and accommodate the migrants there.

The camp has been secured by members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Una-Sana Canton for days, and there have been no major incidents so far.