April 14, 2023 - Croatian and Polish Caritas will restore 20 family houses in Banovina, build seven new prefabricated houses, and install 30 underground tanks for drinking water, thereby helping 57 families in the earthquake-affected area.
As Index writes, this is a joint project to improve the living conditions of people affected by the 2020 earthquake in Banovina, and the implementation of the project was made possible by monetary donations from Polish and Croatian citizens, who together donated 1,420,641,65 euros.
Of that amount, Polish Caritas donated EUR 920,641.65, the largest donation that Croatian Caritas has received from a national Caritas. For that, it is extremely grateful to Polish citizens and Polish Caritas, the press release states.
Reconstruction of 20 damaged houses and construction of seven prefabricated houses
Croatian and Polish Caritas signed a contract on the implementation of the project; preparatory activities began on January 1, 2023, primarily intending to carry out structural and non-structural renovation of 20 damaged family houses and the construction of seven new replacement prefabricated houses.
This part of the project includes 27 socially vulnerable, multi-member families who currently live in Caritas' modular housing units, where Croatian Caritas has provided housing for more than 540 people who died in the earthquake in Banovina from 2021 to today.
Support for this part of the project is provided by the Republic of Croatia, as a friend of the donors, because the new Law on Reconstruction provides for the project "Country - Friend of Donors", to remove damaged family houses, clean the land and lay the foundations for those residential buildings that will be built by donors. The Republic of Croatia will do this for seven prefabricated houses that will be built by Croatian and Polish Caritas, the press release states.
Drinking water for 30 families
The communal part of the joint project of the two Caritas will provide drinking water for 30 families. The plan is to install underground water tanks for families in the wider area of the city of Glina, in villages that do not have access to drinking water, and whose wells were damaged in the earthquake. The acquisition of a tank for the delivery of drinking water is also planned.
"Helping people in need is a clear sign of the care of the Caritas family in Croatia and the world and is an expression of active love, which reflects a complete concern for the good of man.
Caritas' mission is concrete help to people in need, regardless of their religious or ethnic affiliation. Caritas, its employees, and numerous volunteers, as well as benefactors, are inspired by the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, who said: 'Whatever you do for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me,'" said the director of Croatian Caritas, Fr. Tomislav Glavnik.
The duration of the project is two years
The planned duration of the project is two years, but it is expected that most of the activities will be completed by the end of 2023.
In addition to this project, Croatian Caritas also implements five other projects in cooperation with the Diocese of Sisak and Caritas of the Diocese of Sisak, worth almost 800,000.00 euros, which include the renovation of the premises of the Caritas Parish of St. Lovre in Petrinja, renovation of the premises of Caritas and the parish house in Glina.
This also includes the renovation of the House for the accommodation of female students of the Pedagogical Academy in Petrinja, the carer program of Caritas Sisak Diocese, and support for increasing the capacity of the Caritas Soup Kitchen in Sisak.
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