Serbia supports voluntary return of over 100 foreign nationals this year

Serbia's Commissariat for Refugees and Migration announced that it has facilitated the voluntary return of over 100 foreign nationals to their home countries since the beginning of the year. This figure marks a significant increase of more than 150% compared to the same period in the previous year.

The majority of these returns were to Indonesia, with 20 individuals, followed by Syria (11), Nepal (10), Bangladesh (7), Jordan (7), and India (5). The program, known as Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR), provides comprehensive support throughout the process. This includes individual counseling, information on return options, assistance with travel documents and arrangements, necessary medical support, and help with reintegration after returning to their country of origin.

Since the program's inception in 2016, nearly 1,400 people have returned to their countries of origin. The Commissariat, in collaboration with international partners like the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), has conducted training workshops for AVRR counselors. The program receives financial backing from the European Union.