PRESS RELEASE: Donation of personal protective equipment for Border police of Bosnia and Herzegovina within the scope of the project “Countering Smuggling of Migrants along the Western Balkan Coastal Route”,  implemented by IOM Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the support of Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

(Sarajevo, 30 July  2020) – In response to the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic in Bosnia and Herzegovina, today, IOM handed over personal protective equipment against COVID-19, worth 22.500 US Dollars, to Border police of BiH. The donation has been made possible thanks to the generous contribution of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the project “Countering Smuggling of Migrants along the Western Balkan Coastal Route”.

The handover took place in the premises of the Border police of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The donation includes gloves, masks, infrared non-contact thermometers, disinfectant for surfaces as well as hand sanitizers which will be used by the border police officers. “We are very grateful to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and IOM team for the donation of this equipment, which will contribute to protection of front-line officials and greatly assist the Border police of BiH in preventing the spread of COVID-19” said the Director of Border police of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr Zoran Galic.

Since December 2018, the project “Countering Smuggling of Migrants along the Western Balkan Coastal Route”  contributed to increased regional cooperation between Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro and enhanced the capacities of law enforcement authorities and the judiciary to apprehend, investigate and prosecute cases of smuggling of migrants, and protect migrants along the Western Balkan coastal route. Based on careful assessment of the situation on the ground and feedback received from stakeholders, and in light of the global development of the pandemic in March 2020, the Project assessed that a successful delivery of the remaining project activities would be at serious risk and requested a reprograming to support border police agencies in Albania, BiH and Montenegro in responding to the COVID-19 outbreak. The request was kindly granted by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Project went on to support the efforts of border police agencies in Albania, BiH and Montenegro in addressing the new COVID -19 related challenges they are facing by addressing the shortages of personal protective equipment and enhancing border police officers’ knowledge, skills and tools to allow for continuation of border controls while minimizing the risk of infection and transmission of any disease, including COVID-19.

For more information, please contact:

Edita Selimbegović,

IOM Public Information: eselimbegovic@iom.int