SERBIA / REFUGEES WINTER

Aziz, an eight-year-old from Afghanistan is one of estimated 1000 refugees and migrants in Serbia’s capital Belgrade camping out in smoke-filled, derelict warehouses, refusing to go to government shelters fearing deportation. UNHCR

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:01:09
• Production Date: 26 January 2017
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES - UNHCR
• Subject Topical: REFUGEE CAMPS
• Geographic Subject: SERBIA
• MAMS Id: 1820891
• Parent Id: 1820891
• Alternate Title: unifeed170126a

Description

STORY: SERBIA / REFUGEES WINTER
TRT: 1:10
SOURCE: UNHCR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: FARSI /NATS

DATELINE: 25 JANUARY 2017, BELGRADE, SERBIA

Shotlist

1. Wide shot, refugees around fire in warehouse
2. Close up, stirring food in pot on fire
3. Med shot, men around fire
4. Wide shot, smoke going toward ceiling
5. Med shot, men at door
6. Various shots, Aziz sitting by fire
7. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Aziz, Afghan refugee:
“I am living here because the border is closed. People here fight sometimes.”
8. Wide shot, refugees in snow
9. Close up, sowing wood
10. Various shots, refugees in snow
11. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Aziz, Afghan refugee:
“There were more kids here but they went to the camp. I am not playing with anyone.”
12. Various shots, Aziz walking in snow

Storyline

United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) estimates that although about 85 percent of migrants and refugees currently in Serbia are sheltered and provided necessary assistance, there are still some 1000 of them are refusing to enter the government-provided shelters fearing that registering would put an end to their goal of reaching Western Europe.

Instead, they are sheltering in abandoned warehouses behind Belgrade’s main train station where they brave harsh winter conditions foraging for food and wood for heating.

Eight-year-old Aziz arrived in Serbia with his uncle four months ago from Afghanistan. They are among the people living in dire conditions at the abandoned warehouse hoping for an opportunity an opportunity to continue their journey to one of the countries of the European Union.

SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Aziz, Afghan refugee:
“I am living here because the border is closed. People here fight sometimes.”

Many say they are suffering the effects of smoke inhalation and there have been several cases of frost bite.

The harsh winter and border closures has forced many to government shelters.

SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Aziz, Afghan refugee:
“There were more kids here but they went to the camp. I am not playing with anyone.”

Serbia is experiencing extreme winter weather with deadly blizzards and record snowfall.