UNHCR Serbia CBI project provides targeted financial assistance to UNHCR's Population of concern (PoC) with monthly cash grants, with a view to address the most acute material needs of refugees and asylum seekers in private accommodation. The overall objective of the project is to ensure that PoC have sufficient basic and domestic items, through the delivery of monthly cash assistance meant to cover expenses helping them to settle and stabilize their life upon displacement. This assistance aims to support a longer-term self-reliance with a view to reduce vulnerability, including prevention of high-risk behaviour (survival sex, child labour…). Besides the regular monthly payments, the project covers for emergency needs as one-time cash payment. UNHCR provides CBI to the most vulnerable asylum seekers and refugees, through direct implementation. Current CBI SOPs were endorsed at the beginning of 2019. The CBI Committee, consisting of representatives of Durable Solutions, Protection and Programme Units decides on allocation, extension or withdrawal of cash assistance to each beneficiary.
CBI is meant to help PoCs address their basic needs, including alternatives to camps. The SCRM provides rental subsidy to persons granted international protection, during the first year upon recognition of their status. After that period, and if there are gaps in allocation, UNHCR provides CBI. As opposed to SCRM, UNHCR can also provide CBI to asylum seekers in private accommodation. In July, UNHCR 47 HH/89 persons received CBI. Half of these households started receiving CBI due to loss of jobs during the COVID-19 crisis.
