ZAGREB, 12 June 2022 - The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, on Saturday visited the eastern Vukovar-Srijem County, where she discussed humanitarian projects of the Montessori Group and integration of Ukrainian refugees with local officials, the county authorities said.

The Duchess of York is visiting Croatia from 9 to 12 June as chief ambassador of the Montessori Group to promote its work, with emphasis on the integration of Ukrainian refugees in Croatia and new forms of cooperation in providing support to children around the world.

She informed county officials of her humanitarian work and wish to extend it to include Vukovar and Vukovar-Srijem County, notably refugee children from Ukraine, which they welcomed.

The Montessori Group has been providing education and support to teachers and other individuals caring for children in the region of Banovina, hit by an earthquake in 2020.

The group is a global leader in support to quality education, and devising programmes of support to Ukrainian mothers and children envisaging inclusive kindergartens is one of the main reasons why cooperation with the Duchess of York was established, the county authorities said in a statement.

Developing a model that will enable Ukrainian mothers to find a job and start rebuilding their lives in the new country, knowing at the same time that their children have adequate daily care and education, is a shared vision, the county authorities said.

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