Ušivak is full, Blažuj hosts 2,005 migrants and additional capacities are being built

SARAJEVO, (Patria) – Last week, several hundred migrants were transferred from the streets of Sarajevo and private accommodation to the Ušivak and Blažuj camps. Ušivak currently hosts 862 migrants, which is its maximum capacity.

The operation is being carried out by members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Sarajevo Canton and the Service for Foreigners' Affairs, in accordance with the authorities' order to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Migrants accommodated in reception centers are not allowed to leave the premises, which is ensured by members of the Police Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Sarajevo Canton.

Although citizens have been urged to report to the police if they have information about larger groups of migrants in private accommodation or abandoned buildings where they often stay, the problem is that there is no more space in the reception centers. This was confirmed to Patria yesterday by the Ilidža Police Station when a report was received about a larger group of migrants staying in a private house in the Ilidža area.

We were told that the relocation of migrants has currently been halted.

Dražen Rozić, coordinator for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), confirmed in a conversation with Patria that the admission of migrants to the Blažuj center has been temporarily suspended, but that work on expanding the capacity is nearing completion.

“We expect beds and mattresses to be prepared in the next day or two. Starting tomorrow, we should have additional capacity, and we expect it to accommodate around 400 more migrants. The problem is that our suppliers are also having difficulties with transport in this situation,” said Rozić.

He confirmed that Blažuj currently hosts 2,005 migrants, all of whom have undergone medical examinations.