The United Nations refugee agency on Friday warned of the dangers facing growing numbers of asylum-seekers, mainly from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Eritrea and Somalia arriving in the Balkans.
"Men, women and children are often walking for days, some exposed to violence and abuse, or accidents along train tracks," it said in a statement.
Over 22,000 asylum claims were made in Serbia alone in the first five months of this year - a six-fold increase from the same period of 2014, UNHCR said.
Close to 10,000, new asylum-seekers were registered by Serb authorities in May alone and the number of claims quadrupled from 5,000 to 20,000 in the region between 2012 and 2014, according to UNCHR
Authorities and charities in Southern Serbia are currently stretched to provide basic humanitarian aid, registration and accommodation to some 200 asylum-seekers that seek help each day after crossing the border from Macedonia, where they face particular peril.
UNHCR estimates at least the same number of people are being smuggled through the region.
Most of the refugees and migrants reaching the Balkans have come via Greece, and the vast majority are aiming to reach western Europe, crossing into Hungary, according to UNHCR.
In Macedonia, refugees and migrants follow rail tracks and mountain routes, walking for days, where they risk accidents, hunger and exposure to the elements, as well as abuse and threats from smugglers and criminal networks
"A series of fatal accidents over the last few months have been a reminder of the dangers, including to young children and women," said UNHCR.
"The situation remains critical," the agency warned, calling for a joint effort from European Union, national capitals and non-government organisations to ensure international protection for those needing it.
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