Šolta locals can be proud, as they quickly organized and in just 24 hours provided temporary accommodation on the island for 80 Ukrainian refugees, reports Slobodna Dalmacija.
“It is mostly about children, women, and the elderly, and the youngest refugee who arrived is a baby of only three months. It all started with the Ukrainian Vadym Beskid, a lover of Šolta, especially Maslinica, where he spends his summers, and the Zagreb resident Vera Vidoni who collected aid in her apartment. When the state of war in Ukraine broke out, Vadym’s family asked for help, but as more and more people fled, the number spread, and no one could be turned away, so instead of 40, 80 Ukrainians found safety from the war on Šolta. They passed several hundred kilometers and six countries from Ukraine to Šolta,” said Ivana Mihanović, one of the organizers.
The people of Šolta reacted quickly, so all the necessities have been provided for now, but support will be needed in the coming months. The war tragedies they experienced on the way to Croatia are terrible.
“One mother came in a small car with six children; she was very shaken because the convoy with which she was leaving the country was shelled and in their immediate vicinity. All the mothers who came to us are very young, and the oldest child is 12 years old. The medical service is coming to us on Monday because of the coronavirus, but I must emphasize that everyone is very grateful and disciplined. Everyone helped us, from individuals, companies, to the Polish community in Zagreb,” Ivana adds.
Jadrolinija also provided free transportation for all refugees to Šolta.
“They are located in four houses in Maslinica and Gornje Selo. Today the local fishers will prepare lunch for them; I hope the children will be satisfied. Three parishes are involved in the action: the Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes from Zagreb, St. Roch from Split, and the Parish of St. Stephen the First Martyr from Grohote. Numerous companies also contributed: Konzum, Ribola, Promet Makarska, Imex Banka, Ljekarne Split-Dalmatia, Lola Ribar, restaurant Mlin, Pablo pharmacies, and JGL with the coordination of the Red Cross and director Tomislav Goja.
All who donate to the Red Cross “for refugees on Šolta” can be sure they will receive the aid.
If you want to help, donations are accepted at:
Župa sv. Stjepana Prvomučenika
Igrališće 22
21430 Grohote, otok Šolta
IBAN:
HR1524070001100619207
Payment description required: Za pomoć izbjeglicama iz Ukrajine.
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