Global Overview 2011: People internally displaced by conflict and violence - Serbia

In 1999, an estimated 245,000 Kosovo Serbs and Roma, Ashkali or Egyptian (RAE) people fled into Serbia proper or within Kosovo. In late 2011, some 225,000 people were still displaced in Serbia: 210,000 registered IDPs, according to the Serbian Commissioner for Refugees, and around 15,000 unregistered RAE people.

A significant number of IDPs still faced hardship: a survey published in 2011 by UNHCR and the Serbian government identified over 40 per cent of them as vulnerable and in need of assistance. Many continued to endure high levels of poverty, limited livelihood opportunities, and little access to social care or adequate housing. IDPs belonging to RAE communities faced social and economic marginalisation.

In October 2011, some 2,700 IDPs were still living in collective centres, or in informal settlements from which many risked being evicted. IDPs living without personal documents still faced great difficulties in registering as IDPs and so accessing assistance and services. RAE communities were particularly affected by these challenges.

The government has made increasing progress in supporting IDPs in their place of displacement. It has built alternative housing for vulnerable people in collective centres, and supported livelihoods programmes for IDPs. In March 2011, it adopted the three-year National Strategy for Resolving the Situation of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, but the funding for its implementation was lacking. UNHCR and NGOs have continued to support the government's response, while European and UN bodies have continued to monitor progress.