Change 1/Change - Issue 1 (1994-05)(Seventh Sign).adf/txt/Suncockret helps refugees

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    Suncockret camps  -  6 January 1993


Suncockret organises workcamps in the former Yugoslavia to help refugees.


Zagreb

The situation in Zagreb is different than in the other camps we work in.
Our volunteers work in few several centres, organising and taking part in
activities in smaller camps where our assistance and presence is also required.
They do not sleep in the camps but stay in one rented house. Food is provided
by Suncockret, and lunch is provided in the camps.

Location Spansko (3 volunteers)
In Spansko shelter there are 780 refugees mostly from Vulkovar. Refugees are
now in building corporation "Industrogradnja" barracks. The breakdown of
refugees is as follows:
children to 18 years - 210,  adults - 550,  elderly and ill people - 200.
Most of the children are attending school. All children at primary school
level continued their education and likewise with high school adolescents.
Also, there is a well equipped kindergarten.
Our three volunteers will join English lessons, work with teenagers and help
in the kindergarten.

Location Vlaska (3 volunteers)
This camp is placed in old military building. There is about 80 children in
the camp, but more new refugees are expected.
The main task for our volunteers will be helping in English (and German for
German volunteers).




Brac

Brac is relatively big island in front of the Dalmatian coast on which about
2000 refugees from Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH) found shelter. Most of them
are Muslims from Sarajevo or village around it, but there are also refugees
from this area with Croatian and Serbian nationality.
They are hosted in holiday houses and recreation centres from the former
Yugoslavian Labour Union. The island is indeed a good holiday resort and the
temperature is much higher than in the rest of Croatia.
Since the refugees are scattered over the different villages on Brac the
activities will take place in different places and volunteers will be hosted
also in three different groups, each in one of the major refugee centres.
Compared to other refugee camps around Croatia this can be qualified as a four
star refugee camp.
The group will work in Supetar (7 volunteers),
Sutivan (7 volunteers) and Bol (7 volunteers).




Veli Losinj  (15 volunteers)

Mali Losinj is one of the most beautiful islands in Adria with quite high
temperatures during the winter. There is placed Special hospital for lungs
diseases.
We will work in small town Veli Losinj. There are 260 school children and 80
children younger than 6 years (about 15 babies) -refugees and displaced
persons. They are placed on more than 5 location in the town. We will work
with them and also with children who live in the island.
Volunteers will live in youth hostel "Vladimir Nazor", together with displaced
persons.



Varazdin  (15 volunteers)

There are refugee in Varazdin, one called "Jalkovecke Zrtve", the other
"15th May". Both are in military barracks, within easy walking distance
of the town.
"Jalkovecke Zrtve": There are 800 people in this camp, mainly women and
children (300), mostly from Bosnia (Muslim and Croatian). They are housed in
six army barrack buildings which are very spartan and have no heating. There
are toilet facilities in each building, however again these are very basic
and are communal. A classroom exists, and lessons are given to the 8-10 years
old, but only if they wish to attend. For children under 6 years there is
nothing. The camp has a lot of outdoor space, including playgrounds.
"15 May": Camp is situated in old military barracks. There are 338 people in
this camp, mainly women, children and young adults. Conditions are the same
as in "Jalkovecke Zrtve". The refugees are waiting to go to another countries,
so there is no school and no work is done with the children. There are 100
children between 6 and 14.
Volunteers will live in the same conditions as the refugees. Problems with
toilet facilities are possible.



Gasinci (15 volunteers)

This refugee camp is situated at a (separate) part of a military practising
ground. It is about 35 kilometre north of the Sava, the river which forms
the border as well as the front-line between Bosnia and Hertsegovina (BIH) and
Croatia. Sometimes you can hear the explosions from the shelling on Slavonski
Brod or Zupanja by forces from Northern BIH (also called Serbian Krajina).
The region itself is however safe, no fights or bombing took place in the
last 7 months.
In the camp there are at this moment about 3000 refugees (it was planned in May
for 1500), mostly Muslims (their religious feelings be called liberal) from all
over BIH, as well as some Croatians who lived in the northern part of BIH. This
number can change from time to time. Nevertheless relief organisations from
abroad have started to build better living places, most of the refugees are
still living in tents.


Pula

Pula is situated at the Adriatic coast, not far from the Slovenian and Italian
border. The region is called Istra, and Pula is the capital. There are about
20,000 refugees (from Bosnia) and displaced persons (from Croatia). They are
living in 8 places like old military barracks, some resorts and hotels.
Because of the dislocation of the camps people with the car are very needed.
Location Pula (10 volunteers)
"Karlo Rojc" is camp placed im military barracks, in the centre of the town.
Majority of the population are Bosnian refugees. There is no heating.
Location Duga Uvala (10 volunteers)
"Cvrcak" is a children hotel in the bay of Duga Uvala, 20 km away from Pula.
That is the place where our volunteers are situated (in heated rooms). There
are also another hotels in Duga Uvala where displaced persons are living in
the apartments. There are long term displaced persons originating from the
occupied Croatian territories. They are on average, passive, desperate,
depressed and under the strong military influence.


Savudrija (15 volunteers)

This camp is a former holiday camp. It was funded about 20 years ago and all
installations are rather old. Is is positioned on a beautiful site at the sea
side just below Triest (Italy).
At the moment there are about 1300 refugees in this camp, but this number
is increasing (there will be 3000 refugees before the end of the winter).
The refugees come from Bosnia, mainly from Sarajevo. They are Muslims, their
religious feelings can be characterised as liberal.
Nobody lives in tents any more. There are two lodges for volunteers with a
heating element (but don't expect too much). There is space for 8 volunteers
in each lodge. There is also warm water in the toilet, but mud is still there,
and there is no light outside the lodges (on the way to the toilet...). Bring
gummy boots and a torch !
The camp administration consists of only a few people that are responsible
for all accomodation, sanitary, food /kitchen, safety problems.
Suncockret is active in this camp since July, so the presence of the volunteers
is widely accepted and enjoyed.


Posusje  (15 volunteers)

This project will be the first of its kind in the region and will be risky,
difficult and hence we need a special kind of volunteer. This project is also
very important because of the following facts as detailed below.
    In Posusje there are about 6000 refugees living in very bad conditions.
Some of them live in private accommodation and 300-400 line in a school "under
extreme conditions", without heating, "no central kitchen (for 4 months they
only eat bread)". (from Wam's Kat report)
    "A major problem is the total destruction of the whole infrastructure
and authorities. In principle the humanitarian aid is in the hands of the local
Mafia who more or less let most of it disappear."
    The main reason that we are starting to work there is that children
need us and the type of supportwe providein these helpless situations. Even
though the conditions and 'atmosphere' may prove to be difficult, our presence
will at least halt, to some extent, the looting and racketeering of relief
materials. We are witnesses in camps, and our information is used by The Red
Cross, Government offices and many journalists. So, we have reasons to believe
that we have to go there, now.
    Volunteers will live and work in extreme conditions. They will be
housed in a place without heating (warm sleeping bag and very warm clothes
are necessary). The food provided will be inadequate - bring vitamines with
you. The hygienic situation is terrible (almost no toilet facilities). Prepare
yourself for these conditions.
    For this camp we need only the best volunteers. There is a special
procedure of selecting of volunteers for this camp - contact us for further
information.