Caritas has launched an emergency appeal for €250,000 (US$280,000) to help refugees and migrants who are in reception centres and transit camps in Croatia.
The funds will finance a programme which will help 2,500 people a day for the next two months. The focus will be on making sure people have enough to eat, are prepared for a cold winter and have access to hygiene facilities.
Caritas Croatia continues to provide relief (food, water, hygiene items) in Beli Manastir in close coordination with the Red Cross. Photo by Caritas
Thousands of refugees and migrants have been entering Croatia from Serbia since last week after Hungary fenced off its Serbian border and closed the previous route for migrants to go to northern Europe.
“Temperatures are dropping – especially at night – so helping the refugees cope with the coming winter is becoming an increasing priority for Caritas,” says Suzana Borko, deputy director of Caritas Croatia. Many people arrive in Croatia inadequately dressed for the cold as they leave their countries with few belongings.
“We’re also focusing on providing them with camp beds and blankets. We’ve started giving them warm tea in Opatovac – which is much appreciated – and we’re hoping to give one warm meal a day soon.”
Another focus is making sure the refugees have access to warm showers and mothers with babies have a place where they can breastfeed.
Caritas Croatia will be working with refugees and migrants in the dioceses of Đakovo-Osijek, Sisak, Varaždin and Požega and is expanding its programmes at national and diocesan level.
The refugees and migrants are part of a wider European crisis which saw 350,000 people seek refuge in Europe between January and August 2015. Many of the people are from war-torn Syria and fragile states such as Eritrea and Afghanistan
Caritas in Croatia is assessing ways to improve their welcome to the refugees and migrants and to see areas where they might need extra support
For more information contact Michelle Hough: +39 06 6987 9712 or +39 334 234 4136
[email protected]