The Croatian Government joined the international community in dealing with the humanitarian crisis in the Philippines caused by typhoon Haiyan and will deliver HRK 380,000 worth of humanitarian aid to provide food, fresh water and shelter for 100,000 families for 18 month period.
The strongest typhoon ever recorded, Haiyan struck the Philippines November 8, taking more than 10,000 lives and causing immense material damage. More than 450,000 have taken shelter in one of the 1790 evacuation centres, while some 182,000 sought refuge with family and friends. According to the UN estimates, the death toll of 10,000 is bound to prove higher.
Croatia is to send financial aid through the Croatian Red Cross, which has joined the efforts of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The aid has been proposed by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and adopted by the government at its November 21 session.
The program of support for unexpected humanitarian crises the government has adopted by passing the Implementation Program of the 2013 National Strategy for Development Cooperation, in accordance with the Act on Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Abroad (Official Gazette 146/08), the 2009-2014 National Strategy for Development Cooperation (OG 24/09) and the MFEA Strategic Plan by 2016.
Croatia will also give Bulgaria EUR 30,000 for dealing with the increasing number of Syrian refugees. The Bulgarian Government has sent an official appeal through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, given that Syria’s increasingly worse humanitarian situation has a direct impact on the neighbouring countries as well as the EU member states due to the growing number of refugees. This will enable the procurement of food for 1000 persons, one-month medical aid packages for 2400 persons as well as five months’ worth of disposable diapers and food for 280 children.
Since the onset of the humanitarian crisis in Syria, Croatia has allocated through various official humanitarian channels EUR 450,000 for helping internally displaced persons and refugees, namely women and children.
The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs is to send financial aid to Bulgaria’s State Agency for Refugees.