Where No One Plans to Stay: How JRS Macedonia Accompanies People in a Hidden Transit Reality

In a context where most people on the move do not plan to stay, accompaniment makes all the difference. 

North Macedonia remains a key transit point on the Balkan route, where people continue their journeys toward Western Europe amid limited protection and unclear legal pathways. As reported by InfoMigrants, many migrants cross the country clandestinely, often relying on smugglers in the absence of safe alternatives, and with little transparency around reception conditions (see North Macedonia: A stopover for vulnerable migrants on their way to Western Europe). 

Against this backdrop, JRS Macedonia stands with people as they navigate some of the most difficult moments of their journey. Through daily presence in detention and reception facilities, legal assistance, and psychosocial support, the team ensures that people’s dignity and rights are upheld — even when their stay is brief and uncertain. 

Close listening, practical support 

At the heart of JRS’s work is presence. People often arrive exhausted, injured, or disoriented after long journeys marked by violence or exploitation. JRS Macedonia responds to immediate needs — food, clothing, medical support, access to communication — while offering something equally essential: attentive listening. In a system that can feel opaque and intimidating, this human connection helps people regain a sense of agency. 

Upholding rights in a transit system 

JRS also plays a critical role in safeguarding access to rights, particularly for people intercepted at borders or affected by anti-smuggling operations. As documented by InfoMigrants in Interrogated, detained as witnesses: in North Macedonia the fight against migrant smugglers impacts migrants too, migrants can be stopped, questioned, or temporarily detained without always receiving clear information or procedural guarantees.
In this context, JRS provides legal counselling, supports asylum applications, and advocates with authorities to ensure that protection safeguards are respected. 

Supporting futures, not only emergencies 

While most people move on, a small number remain. For those granted international protection, JRS Macedonia continues accompaniment beyond the asylum decision — supporting access to housing, healthcare, education, and work. 

One such story is that of Sandra, a Congolese woman featured by InfoMigrants in “Mon salon de beauté sera ouvert à toutes les femmes”. After years of uncertainty, she is now working toward her dream of opening a beauty salon “open to all women” — a powerful example of resilience when sustained accompaniment makes integration possible. 

A presence that matters 

Even in a country many people pass through quickly, accompaniment matters. Access to care, clear information, and respectful treatment can leave a lasting impact on people who have experienced repeated harm along their journey. 

Through presence, service, and advocacy, JRS Macedonia ensures that people on the move are not invisible — even in transit.