CROATIA ASKS EU TO INCREASE FOOD QUOTAS FOR REFUGEES

ZAGREB, Feb 4 (Hina) - "Croatia has asked the European Union to increase its food quota for Croatian and Bosnian refugees," Head of the Government Office for Refugees, Adalbert Rebic, said today. "The monthly quota of seven thousand tons of food is not enough to feed 400 thousand people," Rebic said at a meeting with the vice-chairman of the European Parliament Budget Control Committee, Denmark's Freddy Blak. "Even ten thousand tons would not be sufficient," Rebic said. He said the refugees and displaced persons were in a "critical" situation. "None of them has died of starvation, but their life is reduced to a struggle for survival," Rebic said. "A four-member displaced family receives a monthly benefit of 250 DEM from the Croatian Government, and a four-member refugee family receives 100 DEM," he specified. Rebic suggested that the EU procure part of the food in Croatia, which would both cut transport costs and help Croatian economy. "That would be a direct help," he said. Rebic said Croatia also needed assistance to reconstruct damaged houses in 175 villages in war-torn areas and to buil new refugee facilities with fewer inmates. "If we do not manage to return the displaced persons to their homes this year, the Government should build housing developments," Granic said. (hina) mm as 041426 MET feb 95