ZAGREB, 7 April 2022 - Croatian MPs on Thursday unanimously welcomed legislative amendments that will allow refugees from Ukraine to exercise the rights to healthcare and social welfare in Croatia.

Parliament is amending the law on the mandatory health insurance and healthcare of aliens and the law on social welfare.

There are more than 10,000 Ukrainian refugees in Croatia who have fled the Russian aggression and we have shown solidarity in various ways, but it's cleat the war won't end soon, so it's necessary to legally regulate their status, said Domagoj Hajduković of the Social Democrats.

Anka Mrak Taritaš of GLAS agreed, saying it was clear the war would not be short because "human lives mean nothing to the little dictator who started from the east."

"We must have special empathy towards these people and enable them to lead dignified lives," she added.

Besides receiving one-off financial assistance and accommodation, the refugees will be entitled to a minimum allowance, said Martina Vlašić Iljkić of the Social Democratic Party.

Urša Raukar Gamulin of the Green-Left Bloc commended the government's will to help the refugees from Ukraine.

"Croatia has reacted well in terms of taking in and accommodating the refugees and these (amendments) go in that direction as well," said Marijan Pavliček of the Sovereignists.

If necessary, Croatia must take in even more than 20,000 refugees because it has the money and the accommodation for it, he added.

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March 10, 2022 - TCN meets Kateryna, one of many Ukrainians escaping war to Croatia who is currently with her family in Ludbreg. 

My name is Kateryna and I’m Ukrainian.  I've never been so proud to be Ukrainian before, and I'm really happy to share my story with you. I always thought that when I'll tell people my story it will be something unbelievably interesting and positive but everything has changed in a moment. 

On the 24th of February, near 5 a.m. I woke up from the sound of explosions, Russia has started a full-scale war against Ukraine. My first thought was something really stupid like, should still go to the office for work or will we have a day off. I didn't realize what war is because I have never faced it. 

Starting from that day I was constantly on the move; first I was hiding in a village waiting for a few days and hoping it ends soon but then when the situation got worse, I made a difficult decision to leave Ukraine. Together with my family, we started a long way to safety. It was really difficult to drive since there was a lack of gas in petrol stations, we heard explosions and gunshots along the way, and we were trying to accept the fact that we are leaving our house, and, most importantly people we love. 

At the same time, we couldn’t have made it without help from other people. On the Moldovan border, locals provided us with food and water since we had to wait near the border for 5 or 6 hours. When we entered Romania, we had great support from locals as well, they helped to find our accommodation, food, and navigation because we came late at the evening and had no idea where to sleep or have rest. When we finally got to Croatia, Ludbreg, where we are safe and are able to keep living now, we received great help from locals, who have arranged accommodation for us, provided us with all the necessities, and keep helping with other things related to daily stuff, documents, and workspace. Not me nor my family have ever known these people before but they welcomed us with all the possible hospitality, and friendliness, which we will never forget.

Ukrainians will always remember all the help from people of different countries, nationalities, who are ready to support everyone in need.  

We are safe because of all of you who condemn war, give humanitarian help, and protect our country day and night.