EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO COVID-19 in Mixed Migration Context in

SITUATION REPORT #51 / 19 April 2021 Reporting Period: 13/04 – 19/04/2021 http://drc.ba/covid19_resources

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS UPDATES:  191,154 cases of COVID-19 confirmed in BiH, 7,938 deaths and 148,146 recovered patients.1 6 PoCs exhibiting symptoms and  6 PoCs exhibiting COVID-like symptoms monitored by PHC and DRC medical teams isolated in in TRC Blazuj (1), TRC Miral (4) and TRC Sedra (1). reception facilities  No positive PoC isolated or monitored by PHC and DRC medical teams.

640 PoCs  18 new PoCs exhibiting COVID-like symptoms referred to symptomatic isolation in screened in reception centers: 5 in TRC Miral, 9 in TRC Sedra and 4 in TRC Blazuj. reception facilities  535 PoCs screened for COVID-19 symptoms (all new arrivals to reception centers).

0 new PoCs  141 PoCs monitored in preventive isolation by DRC Medical Officers (17 in TRC confirmed positive Miral, 26 in TRC Borici and 98 in TRC Sedra). for COVID-19  185 PoCs referred to preventive isolation in reception facilities. CUMULATIVE:  17 PoCs tested for COVID-19, no new positive cases reported. 265 PoCs positive for COVID-19 KEY DEVELOPMENTS AND CHALLENGES

70,026 COVID-  Due to the high turnover of new families and those returning to family TRCs from 19 screenings in “game”, it is quite challenging to accommodate families in line with infection reception facilities prevention and control measures, especially during the non-working hours and and in out-of-site days. This could be overcome with more dedicated spaces for preventive isolation, locations as well adaptation of existing – and establishment of a new preregistration area where families could await medical screening while still having access to basic 1,609 PoCs health and protection services. tested for COVID- 19

1 Official statistics for Federation of BiH, and Brcko District

 Following the regular relocation of PoCs from informal settlements to TRCs, as well internal transfer of PoCs between TRCs, better coordination among all relevant actors is needed, namely SFA, IOM and DRC, in order to prevent epidemiological risks and comply with IPC measures imposed by health authorities.

 After 3 weeks, on Tuesday 13/04/2021, by recommendation of the PHI of Canton, the lockdown of the Tuzla Safe House has been lifted.

 In light of the last few weeks’ rise in numbers of COVID-19 cases among PoCs, as well as among service providers, it is necessary to continue complying with infection prevention and control (IPC) measures recommended by health authorities, namely properly wearing a mask, keeping physical distance, practicing hand and respiratory hygiene, as well increasing capacity of preventive and symptomatic isolation and activities of health promotion related to COVID-19 prevention. Blanket screening and testing of beneficiaries and service providers will be conducted based on need, as per the COVID-19 Emergency and Preparedness Plan for People of Concern in Temporary Reception Centres in BiH.

 A total of 104 PoCs were discharged from preventive isolation in all TRCs in BiH, and 86 PoCs from symptomatic isolation, on expiry of the isolation and monitoring period. In the same period, 39 PoCs left preventive and 4 PoCs left symptomatic isolation of their own will.

PREVENTIVE ISOLATION OVERVIEW 70 61 58 60 50 37 40 33 29 30 22 20 16 15 20 13 12 8 8 10 6 0 0 2 0 0 12-Apr 13-Apr 14-Apr 15-Apr 16-Apr 17-Apr

# of PoCs referred to isolation area (new arrivals/ pushbacks/ exposed to COVID-19) on the date of reporting* Discharged from preventive isolation Left preventive isolation

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SYMPTOMATIC ISOLATION OVERVIEW 80 76 70 60 50 40 30 20 6 8 10 3 5 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 12-Apr 13-Apr 14-Apr 15-Apr 16-Apr 17-Apr

# of PoCs referred to isolation, exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 on the date of reporting** Discharged from Symptomatic isolation Left Smytomatic Isolation

 Outreach response: o PoCs in out-of-site locations are provided with medical assistance by DRC and RC teams visiting the sites, delivering First Aid and performing medical screening of PoCs for COVID-19 symptoms. o Due to improved weather conditions, the number of PoCs at informal settlements is slightly increasing. DRC outreach teams are performing more COVID-19 symptom screenings, delivering health educational sessions regarding COVID-19 preventive measures, and referring and reporting any suspected case to health authorities. It is still challenging to monitor the epidemiological situation in outreach, due to frequent movements of PoCs, as well overcrowded preventive isolation areas inside TRCs.

OPERATIONAL PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE

 COVID-19 Response in TRCs in BiH: o As the number of COVID -19 cases among PoCs is on the rise, capacity of symptomatic isolation areas has been increased. At the moment, a total of 276 beds in TRCs in USC are available for preventive isolation and a total of 278 beds for POCs with COVID-19 symptoms.

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OVERVIEW OF DESIGNATED ISOLATION AREAS (COVID-19) 19 APRIL

1600 1516 1400 1200

1000 827 748 800 600 400 293 325 178 200 112 78 66 0 44 0 50 20 6 0 Usivak Blazuj Miral Borici Sedra Current no of PoCs in TRC Isolation for Preventive monitoring Isolation for COVID-19 expressed symptoms

 Coordination with authorities and health actors: o Preventive and reactive measures imposed by the PHI and implemented by DRC in collaboration with IOM and other service providers have given the desired result, i.e. closure of all reported COVID-19 clusters in the TRCs in BIH. Continuation of strict sanitary-epidemiological monitoring remains, as per recommendation of the Public Health Institute of USC, in order to prevent further spread of COVID-19 in the reception centers: - All PoCs to wear a mask, maintain physical distance and practice hand hygiene during close contact activities (dining, using the bathroom, etc.); - Ventilation and disinfection of all the rooms of the TRC to be conducted daily. - In addition to the obligatory wearing of a protective mask and gloves and maintaining physical distance, all service providers to monitor their health condition on a daily basis (temperature check) and report possible symptoms to health institutions. - Service providers to maintain fixed teams and try to avoid rotation of teams between the TRCs, in order to reduce the possibility of transmitting potential infection to other TRCs in the USC. - All service providers/humanitarian actors in TRCs are advised to downscale large group activities, as well taking all necessary preventive measures during the activities (small groups, in the open, all practicing physical distance, hand and respiratory hygiene).  Measures related to humanitarian staff: o Following the increased numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases among service providers, humanitarian staff working in the reception centers and out of site locations should continuously

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self-monitor2. In case humanitarian staff have been in contact with persons confirmed positive for COVID-19, they should inform their health provider and follow the suggested measures. Staff exhibiting COVID-19 like symptoms, including fever, should suspend their presence from the reception centers until fully recovered. Additionally, information needs to be shared with DRC medical teams, to ensure contact tracing and mitigating the risk of spread of COVID-19 infection.

MEASURES ANNOUNCED BY BIH AUTHORITIES

The Federal Ministry of Health issued an order on the 15th of April, confirming all previous orders are still in place, including restriction of movement in the Federation of BiH from 9 pm to 5 am, as well as mandatory wearing of protective masks. https://covid19.fmoh.gov.ba/uploads/files/Naredbe_150421-4d71905d8482bd207991b9821eba18c9862e5797.pdf The Federal Government of BiH gave its consent to the Agreement on Mutual Rights and Obligations of the Government of Canton and the Government of FBiH in the implementation of the contract for the procurement of vaccines with the Russian Direct Investment Fund, and authorized the Prime Minister of FBiH to sign it. http://www.fbihvlada.gov.ba/bosanski/aktuelno_v2.php?akt_id=9230

MEDIA REPORTING

1. As of Today, Measures have been partially mitigated in Sarajevo At the extraordinary session, the Government of the Canton Sarajevo (CS) adopted new hygienic- epidemiological measures, based on the recommendations of the Crisis Staff of the CS Ministry of Health, and partially mitigated the previous ones. As of Today, Measures have been partially mitigated in Sarajevo - Sarajevo Times 2. There is no COVID-19 increase in migrant camps in BiH than usual In four migrant camps in Una-Sana Canton, in northwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina, 73 migrants tested positive for the coronavirus. According to the DRC as of April 9, they are all in TRC Miral in Velika Kladuša. Currently, there are no active cases in other reception centers in this canton, where about three thousand migrants and refugees are accommodated. In TRCs in the Sarajevo Canton, one person is COVID-19 positive and placed in the isolation ward within TRC 'Blažuj'. There are no new cases of infection in the reception center Ušivak. Korone u migrantskim kampovima ništa više nego inače u BiH (slobodnaevropa.org) 3. Bosnia: COVID-19 infections rising in migrant camps

2 The Federal Institute for Public Health has made available the online self-assessment test on COVID-19, available at https://www.zzjzfbih.ba/covid-19/ 5

DRC: Situation 'under control' "Unavoidably, as the result of the general situation in the country, we have seen an increase in the number of cases at the reception centers," said Nicola Bay, Bosnia director for DRC. "However there has been a rapid response to this, the situation is under control." Bosnia: COVID-19 infections rising in migrant camps - InfoMigrants 4. Crisis Staff against shortening of curfew in Bosnia's FBiH entity The Crisis Staff of Bosnia's Federation (FBiH) entity Ministry of Health assessed that the epidemiological situation in the entity is still unfavorable, and recommended that the curfew in the next seven days remains from 9 pm to 5 am. Crisis Staff against shortening of curfew in Bosnia's FBiH entity - N1 (n1info.com) 5. IOM: New e-course helps border guards work through COVID challenges The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed many aspects of migration, including human mobility, trade patterns and border management. Despite restrictions, border officials continue their work, processing travelers and detecting and assisting migrants who cross borders irregularly. IOM: New e-course helps border guards work through COVID challenges | FENA 6. FBiH and Sarajevo Canton Governments to procure vaccines together The FBiH Government accepted the information of the FBiH Prime Minister on the meeting held at the initiative of the Prime Minister of the Sarajevo Canton, which discussed, among other things, the procurement and delivery of vaccines in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the citizens of the Federation of BiH and the Sarajevo Canton. FBiH and Sarajevo Canton Governments to procure vaccines together | FENA 7. Dodik takes over a donation of 20,000 doses of vaccine for RS in Belgrade Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Milorad Dodik thanked in Belgrade the Republic of Serbia and President Aleksandar Vučić for donating 20,000 doses of coronavirus vaccine to the Republika Srpska. Dodik takes over a donation of 20,000 doses of vaccine for RS in Belgrade | FENA 8. Moranjkić: It is unknown how many infected migrants walk the streets of Bihać (VIDEO) There is an increase in the number of infected people in Una-Sana Canton. It is even more difficult because the infected migrants are not disciplined. (…) We asked Edin Moranjkić, advisor to the mayor of Bihać, about the real situation in Bihać(…), what it is like to live here and whether people have become accustomed to migrants’ presence, whether their habits have changed. Oslobođenje (oslobodjenje.ba) 9. Mass Immunization of Residents of Sarajevo to begin Today

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The final preparations for the mass immunization of the residents of Sarajevo Canton against coronavirus, which should start on Monday, April 19, are finished in the Olympic Hall “Juan Antonio Samaranch” Zetra. The area has been renovated and has 30 population vaccination points where 2,000 patients will be able to be vaccinated daily. As confirmed by Fena in the Health Insurance Institute of Sarajevo Canton, 61,417 people have applied for immunization so far. Mass Immunization of Residents of Sarajevo to begin Today - Sarajevo Times

Stay informed – find the latest information from WHO or related sources: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports/ https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 https://www.epi-win.com/

We thank you for your responsible behavior in the interest of your own health, but also in the interest of the health of all the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 7