Why?
This project focuses on assisting and protecting migrants transiting through the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, with the following operations: distribution of food (including bottled water) and non-food items, health care, including first aid, screening, referral and psychosocial support,and hygiene promotion, restoring family links, beneficiary communications, and building the capacity of the Red Cross Society of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is one of the transit countries for migrants seeking destinations in Northern and Western Europe, and from August 2015 on has seen steep increases in the number of migrants transiting through the country. At the end of August, migrants passing from Greece to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia averaged at 3,000 per day, with 62,000 migrants alone passing through the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonian in July and August. As of the end-October 2015, there were 155,739 officially registered migrants in the country. Most migrants travel through the country by foot, on their way to Serbia, along highways and railways, since the police have intensified train controls. The journey takes ten days. Most of the migrants are assisted in two resting points in Gevgelija (about 45%) and in Kumanovo (about 35%), while the remaining migrants are assisted at the railway stations in Demir, Kapija and Skopje. Other locations for the project are Gevgelija and Kumanovo.
What?
As migrants cross the Greek border into the country and leave the country at the Serbian border, the Red Cross of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia assists them with nine mobile first aid teams, comprised of doctors, paramedics, translators, and volunteers who are available around the clock. These teams are based out of two reception centres. Migrants are also provided with transport to and from the borders to these centres and to hospitals, and food and non-food items, such as blankets, sleeping bags, clothes, water, and food parcels are distributed.
Who?
The project targets 110,000 people crossing through the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia from Bulgaria or Greece and on to Serbia. The particular focus of the project is on assisting pregnant women and new-born babies, single parent households, and persons with acute or serious health conditions.