22.09.2015.

Space for children migrants opened in the Bristol Hotel

Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic, State Secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Policy Nenad Ivanisevic, City Manager Goran Vesic and Director of the UNICEF Office in Serbia Michel Saint-Lot, opened a playground for children and refugees today in Belgrade Hotel Bristol, migrants, as well as a space for breastfeeding for mothers with babies.

Concerned about the position of migrants in the parks near the bus and train stations in Belgrade, especially because of the more severe weather conditions, the Government of Serbia and the City of Belgrade have teamed up with UNICEF to provide them with additional support.

Expressing satisfaction with the start of the operation, Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic pointed out that, from the first day of the migrant crisis, the Ministry and partners had actively participated in solving all problems, and that a good team produces evident results.

- We will continue helping people in trouble the same way, because Serbia has been through something similar in the nineties, and we understand the suffering of these people - Minister Gasic said and recalled that the first centre of this type, a mini nursery, had been opened in Presevo recently.

He also announced a joint project with the City of Belgrade, after which the Bristol Hotel, whose 324 square meters were given by the Ministry of Defence for the establishment of the space for children and mothers migrants, would soon become a representative facility.

City Manager Goran Vesic thanked UNICEF for its support and reiterated that Belgrade and Serbia had shown solidarity with migrants and refugees.

- The City of Belgrade welcomed the proposal of UNICEF to coordinate with the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Policy, as well as with the Commissariat for Refugees of the Republic of Serbia in establishing a children's corner, which is similar to a space that UNICEF has already established by in Presevo - Goran Vesic said.

Michel Saint-Lot, Director of UNICEF in Serbia, congratulated the partners that had stood up for the benefit of children of migrants, and the Danish Refugee Council, UNICEF's partner in implementing activities in the field.

- The children’s corner is a space in which children can take a break and get psychosocial support. It is equipped with educational materials, toys and books. Here, children can engage in recreational, educational and artistic activities that are beneficial to their physical and emotional well-being. And parents that are exhausted after a long journey can take a break - Michel Saint-Lot said.

Mothers and caregivers with children who reside in the children's corner, which will be open daily from 8.30 am to 17 pm, can obtain information regarding their rights and protection, as well as advisory support in relation to health and nutrition, hygiene and safety of children.

The information they will receive are crucial for parents to ensure their safety and well-being during their stay in Serbia. These activities also allow for the identification of children in the most condition and for their referral to other health and social services in order for them to receive adequate assistance and support.