He welcomed and commended the efforts in responding to the needs of refugees, primarily the Croatian government for creating circumstances which gives us an opportunity to respond to this situation, Elhadj As Sy told reporters.
He commended the numerous volunteers, the UNHCR, UNICEF and MAGNA for all their efforts, which he said are all coordinated by the Croatian Red Cross (HCR). It is good to see that the Red Cross is not alone and that all these organisations are working together, he said.
As Sy underscored that in addition to removing the consequences it was necessary to consider the reasons why thousands of migrants have been compelled to leave their homes and countries. During his visit to Opatovac, he said that he saw exhausted, traumatised and tired people who wish to arrive at their destination as soon as possible.
Elhadj As Sy was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Ranko Ostojic along with the president and executive president of the HCR, Josip Jelic and Robert Markt.
Markt said that the HCR would ensure that while the migrants are in Croatia not one will go hungry or thirsty. He added that the HCR was working on improving hygiene standards at the reception centre in Opatovac as well as offering psycho-social assistance to migrants.
He underscored that over the past few days the HCR had invested particular effort to reunite families that had been separated during transport due to limited space in transport facilities.