The job of humanitarian workers, who bring help and hope to others, is fraught with danger: from kidnapping, wounding and loss of life to harsh working conditions in remote and often hostile areas. Their contribution therefore remains invaluable in the overall humanitarian efforts of the governments, international and nongovernmental organizations.
Offering humanitarian aid is a fundamental way of showing the universal value of solidarity, as well as a moral imperative. Croatia has recently begun a transformation from a official development assistance recipient into an international and regional donor, rising up to global humanitarian challenges caused by human and natural factors alike.
Since 1 January 2011, when it stopped being a recipient and became solely a donor, Croatia has offered financial support to Japan in wake of the earthquake and tsunami, and organized a visit and rehabilitation for a group of Japanese children to Croatia. In 2011, a humanitarian shipment of drugs and medical supplies was sent to Libya, while financial support was offered to Somalia and the Horn of Africa for alleviating the consequences of hunger. During 2012, humanitarian aid has been sent to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Greece, Syria and Turkey, and a rehabilitation visit was organized for a group of Iraqi children.
Climate changes, population growth, degradation of the environment, lack of water and rising food prices put an ever-growing pressure on efficient running of humanitarian operations and require increased efforts in finding innovative solutions, namely in terms of preventing and creating resilience to crisis.
Croatia’s humanitarian activities are directed at alleviating the consequences of natural disasters and programmes of early recovery in post-conflict areas. Protection of the most vulnerable groups – namely women and children, as well as the promotion of humanitarian principles make the focal point of Croatia’s humanitarian engagement.
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