HC president Josip Mrzljak received the donation from Korean Ambassador to Croatia Suh Hyung-Won. Bishop Mrzljak thanked the Korean government for recognising Caritas' efforts in responding to the needs of refugees.
Caritas has been active in providing aid to refugees from the first day they arrived at the Opatovac reception centre and has donated 500 bunk beds for the Slavonski Brod winter camp as well as a 600 square metre heated tent, along with lavatories and other facilities and equipment including mattresses, food, clothing and other necessities required for refugees arriving on a daily basis.
"To date around 550,000 refugees have passed through Croatia. We are mostly not even aware of the human tragedy that is occurring because of the quick way refugees are transiting through the country, particularly of those escaping war in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan. This donation has come at the right time," Bishop Mrzljak said.
Ambassador Hyung-Won said that no-one can remain immune to the situation that is currently occurring on European soil and, even though his country is far away from Europe, they believe they need to take part in helping as much as they can.
We are satisfied with the way services in Croatia have dealt with the refugee crisis and the way Caritas Croatia has supplemented the work of the Croatian Red Cross and become an important link in caring for refugees, he said.
The amount we've donated is not large but it is a reflection of our empathy with Croatian citizens and a sign of respect for all you are doing, the ambassador said.