Some great initiatives from the people of Split to help with the ongoing refugee crisis in Europe.
When those who are paid to do it don’t do it, ordinary citizens have once again taken the matters into their own hands. A group of citizens of Split has recently got together on social networks and initiated a campaign to collect aid for the needy who came to Europe to escape the wars in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq… reports Slobodna Dalmacija on September 13, 2015.
The people have started collecting aid at the premises of the Red Cross in the Viška Street. Citizens of Split have found a lot in their closets which will by the end of the next week be of benefit to those who have left their homes.
“People stop by, bring a bag, two, four, five, everyone wants to contribute. There are no crowds, but people continuously come and go”, said Ivana Kolić, one of the organizers of the campaign to collect aid for refugees, adding that they have recently opened the Facebook page Split Helps: Refugees Aid Split.
They reported that they had collected sleeping bags for children and adults, blankets, tents, winter clothing, hygiene supplies and canned food. “We have never doubted the turnout of our fellow citizens”, said the volunteers at the Red Cross centre.
They added that the campaign was joined by people from Šibenik and Zadar, and that everything they collect will be first dispatched to Zagreb and then to Belgrade, and preferably later to Macedonia as well, with the help of the humanitarian organization ADRA Croatia. They said that the transportation across borders is the biggest problem. “People are calling from everywhere. They wonder what they can do to help, some talk about possible charity concerts being organized, as well as themed evenings in cafes. The response is really great.”
“We would like to ask the citizens who want to send packages to come here as soon as possible. It is very important for them to come by Monday afternoon, given that all aid must be in Zagreb on Wednesday, since the truck will go to Belgrade on Thursday”, said Ivana Kolić.
