11 Feb Refugee Mental Health – Local Updates

REFUGEE MENTAL HEALTH – LOCAL UPDATES

We present to you the latest local updates on the migration situation across various locations, with a special focus on mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS). This section highlights key developments, challenges, and responses aimed at supporting the well-being of displaced individuals and communities in the context of European transit

SERBIA

• There is an observed decrease in persons on the move registered and accommodated in asylum and reception centers in Serbia. A total of 566 persons are accommodated in all centers, 1300 new entries were registered, as well as a shorter average stay period. However, there is a concern that significantly more people on the move enter and go through the country unregistered, which poses them at risk of smuggling, human trafficking, and other forms of violence and exploitation.
• During 2024 only 7 persons were granted asylum or subsidiary protection, continuing the declining trend from 2023.
• There is an observed decline in available calls for proposals regarding refugee mental health in Serbia. It seems that there is less focus put on the matter compared to previous years. Several international organizations are gradually scaling-down projects and/or ceasing operations in the country, which raises concerns regarding service provision in general, including mental health protection.

Useful resources: Statistical snapshot for Serbia – December 2024

ITALY

• The recent agreement between the governments of Italy and Albania has recently been put into motion. The agreement allows for persons reaching Italy coming from “safe countries of origin” to be transferred to detention centers in Albania where they would await their asylum claims. This practice was once again employed during January despite the legitimacy of the agreement being questioned by different relevant authorities.
• In addition, the Italian government signed several decrees with Northern African countries with the aim of mitigating the migration
• The proposed measures and agreements raise concerns regarding the human rights of persons on the move, including their right to mental health.

Useful resources: More information on Italian recent migration policies

GREECE

• There is an observed increase in the total number of arrivals in 2024 (62,022), compared to 2023 (48,721).
• Currently, many international NGOs and agencies face challenges due to insufficient funding, leading to closing their operations in Greece.
• There seems to be a lack of available MHPSS services in accommodation centers in Greece. Although the Ippokratis I project should address most critical health issues, there is a concern that the services provided do not include interpretation by cultural mediators, which is crucial for the delivery of MHPSS services.
• The declaration of Syria as a safe country by Greek authorities following the changes in the Syrian regime brings new challenges to Syrians applying for asylum, as well as to those who have already received refugee status. The new decision could impact the asylum renewal process, leading to elevated levels of stress among refugees from Syria residing in Greece.
• On May 15, 2024, METAdrasi, which had provided interpretation services under a contract with the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, ceased its work following the contract’s expiration and prolonged payment delays. As a result, interpretation services within the Asylum Service were also suspended from April 29, 2024. To temporarily alleviate the crisis, the EU Asylum Agency (EUAA) deployed interpreters to be assigned to Asylum Offices and Reception and Identification Services. Limited tele-interpretation hours from other European interpreters were also provided. However, this EUAA assistance was intended as a stopgap solution, and in mid-September, the agency significantly reduced its support, emphasizing that Greece’s long-term interpretation needs remain unaddressed. The majority of asylum registrations and interviews were not conducted during this period and were rescheduled due to the lack of interpreters.
• During this term, the situation in the RIC of Malakasa remained dire, and very long delays in registration persisted. Registrations went beyond the 25-day deadline and confinement on the RIC is extended.
• The abovementioned deficiencies, which reached their peak with the suspension of interpretation services, persist until today and limited progress has been made.

The information is also available in the form of a downloadable PDF on the link.