According to official data by the Slovenian authorities, 99.187 migrants and refugees have transited through Slovenia en route to Austria and onwards to Western Europe from 1 January 2016 until the closure of Western Balkan Route on 9 March 2016. In 2016, the Ministry of Interior recorded 1.308 applications for international protection in Slovenia, of which more than one third were filled between 1 January and March 2016.

IOM Slovenia has with the financial support of the Council of Europe Development Bank – Migrant and Refugee Fund (CEB - MRF) responded to assist the Slovenian authorities in providing adequate assistance to migrants and refugees. In collaboration with the Slovenian Agency for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief, IOM distributed essential non-food items, including sleeping mats, beds and hygiene kits in the temporary reception and accommodation centres for migrants and refugees.

After March 2016 IOM’s response shifted from providing necessary assistance in the reception and accommodation centres to responding to the needs of asylum seekers in Slovenia. IOM has been procuring footwear for both adults and children, hygiene items, sports and leisure equipment for the aslyum centers and school supplies for children. In addition to assisting the Government in providing adequate levels of assistance to asylum seekers, IOM has been focusing on facilitating long-term successful inclusion of beneficiaries of international protection in the Slovenian society. With the financial support of the Council of Europe Development Bank – Migrant and Refugee Fund, IOM has organized consultations and capacity building events focusing on labour market integration, cultural mediation and intercultural competencies of public service providers.