The Hall of the Homeland War Special Police Forces in Zagreb on 30 June 2023 hosted an exhibition of works by the Ukrainian children staying in Croatia as part of the “Safer Together” international project. The event was attended by deputy prime ministers, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Tomo Medved and Interior Minister Davor Božinović, as well as Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman, who opened the exhibition.
The project was organized by the Hrvatska Pomaže (Croatia Helps) association and financed by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs through a tender. The goal was to help Ukrainian children from war-affected areas. Ukrainian children stayed in Croatia last year as well, making this visit a continuation of excellent cooperation with Ukraine.
“It is a great pleasure to support this praise-worthy project helping the children from war-affected areas of Ukraine. This marks the continuation of successful cooperation with “Hrvatska Pomaže”, which I wish to thank for its continued commitment to helping Ukrainian children, for successful mine action projects and working with war and mine victims,” Grlić Radman said.
The minister underscored that Croatia had been helping Ukraine from the start of the war, politically and with humanitarian and development aid. “We are determined to continue helping Ukraine, notably in regard to humanitarian demining, rehabilitation of the wounded and psychosocial support for the victims, as well as in regard to the revitalization of crucial infrastructure and agricultural sector, which are of global importance,” the minister said. He reiterated that Croatia strongly and consistently advocated protection of the most vulnerable groups, notably children and young people, and that we did not want the war in Ukraine to take away their right to play and make friends, as well as their right to education, work and a safe future.
“To date, more than 150 children have stayed in Croatia, with the next group arriving in August. Our goal is to offer them psychosocial rehabilitation and to educate them about safety, particularly in regard to mines. The Ukrainian children have been spending time with Croatian children and I’m sure they will take home great memories,” said Hrvatska Pomaže President Đurđa Adlešić presenting the project.
Božinović said that children were the biggest victims of any war, adding that three Croatian ministries were implementing projects aimed at helping them. “The children told me they had had a great time in Croatia. With these kinds of projects, we are sending the Ukrainian people a message that they’re not alone and that we will continue to support their fight,” he said.
Many of the children visiting Croatia have been the children of Ukrainian defenders, said Medved.
“In addition to encouraging children, we have been accommodating and rehabilitating the Ukrainian wounded for two months at our health and veteran centres,” Medved said, underlining that the Association of the Homeland War Special Police Forces played a big part in the realization of said projects.
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