NGOs start fund raising campaign for refugees

"In addition to the numerous problems that they are faced with living in a foreign country, the COVID-19 was the last straw for refugees because many have lost their jobs and are now faced with the threat of becoming homeless and separated from their children. About 40 households, with about 65 adults and 45 children, have been affected," the NGOs said in a press release.

These are households that are integrating in Croatian society and are faced with many obstacles and they are now faced with even greater problems like many other citizens, the NGOs said.

The NGOs aim to collect HRK 120,000 to cover the costs for 40 households.

Marina Skrabalo of the Solidarna foundation said that the campaign aims to raise funds to help the most vulnerable cover the costs of rent and food and other supplies for at least one month.

"We are also actively involved in trying to find refugees a job because that is the only way to resolve their problems in the long run," the press release said.

The NGOs said that due to the economic crisis many refugees were the first to lose their jobs, at which they were paid the minimum wage. Many of them have problems because of the language barrier and there are some with higher education who in their home countries were lawyers, engineers and university professors.

The NGOs appealed to citizens to help those in need to stand on their own two feet and to not lose their second home.