Pope Francis has decided to send assistance to migrants stuck in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the aid will be forwarded on the occasion the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, observed on 27 September.

The apostolic nunciature in Sarajevo said in a press release on Friday that the donations provided by the pontiff would be sent to the centres for temporary accommodation at Usivak near Sarajevo and at Sedra near Bihac where families and unaccompanied minors are staying.

The donation will be used to provide migrants with clothes, sanitisers and hygienic items, blankets and food.

The Holy Father has called on many occasions for the humane treatment of illegal migrants , emphasising that those in distress need aid and sympathy.

Apostolic Nuncio to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Luigi Pezzuto, was quoted as saying that fears and many prejudices in the European countries that are bearing the brunt of the influx of illegal migrants often “prevent us from showing our closeness and sympathy with them.”