In northwestern Bosnia, the government of the canton of Una-Sana has imposed a curfew on two large migrants' camps. The inhabitants of Camps Bira in Bihac and Miral in Velika Kladusa are not allowed to leave these facilities unless they intend to head for the border with Croatia. In addition, no other migrants should be left in the completely overcrowded camp.
The cantonal government formally justified the ban with the "migratory pressure" on the region. Bosnia is now one of the most important transit countries on the so-called Balkan route. This leads from Greece or Turkey to Western Europe.
The two official camps are operated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which is a member of the UN organizations. According to her, there are a total of 2300 people.
In Bihac and the surrounding area, according to IOM data, there are a total of around 7,000 migrants. Many of them are staying in the improvised Vucjak slum built by the city of Bihac, camping in the open air or living in private quarters.
In flip-flops and without jackets in the cold
Most recently, the government officials had promised new quarters in former military barracks. Because of the approaching winter, helpers and activists fear a humanitarian catastrophe if no winterproof shelters are created in the Bihac area. "Without adequate housing and other basic services people could die," warned the aid organization "Doctors Without Borders".
People are in flip-flops, no socks and no jackets on the way, many suffered because of the appalling living conditions of respiratory tract infections and skin diseases, said a spokesman for the organization. The camp in Vucjak must be closed immediately.
The EU also calls for a closure of the camp. "We have asked the local authorities to dismantle the site immediately and move the people there to appropriate facilities," said EU Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos on Thursday in a debate in the Brussels European Parliament.
In August, the Commission allocated ten million euros in aid to the country, Avramopoulos said. However, one still waits for a commitment for new reception centers and an extension of existing accommodation.