| - Information Centre Activities in 2003. |
| Programs : Information Center for Refugees |
| Period : From 01.01.2003. - 31.12.2003. |
| Beneficiaries : Refugees |
| Donors : UNHCHR |
| Contact : Nives Ivelja |
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2003 passed by in increased activities aiming to reach durable solutions for people in refuge which added up to approximately 12.000 within Croatia. With co-operation from Croatian Government, ODPR Zagreb, UNHCR and its partners, as well as complementary organizations from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the process of reconstruction and return of families and individuals occupying collective centers in Croatia continues. In accordance to their mission UNHCR also supported local integration of refugees by negotiating with the Croatian government the ways of accepting and including in the integration process refugees of various ethnic belonging who had no wish to return to their country of origin. Having in mind that resettlement programs for third countries were on the most part discontinued, the majority of refugees looked for their solution in return, or assimilation into the country of refuge. Association MI continued its co-operation with UNHCR by providing legal and social services to refugees, within its role as the sole partner for the region of Dalmatia. A decreased number of refugees and directing of funds towards other global crisis centers affected ending of contracts for a certain number of organizations that provided similar services. The quality of life for refugees in collective centers decreased more and more with time; so that those left found themselves having increasing needs for various forms of assistance. Association MI actively helped them in the process of finding a durable solution providing them with timely information, counseling, advice and intervention on their behalf through contacts with existing legal, health and social services, in Croatia as well as in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We made a real effort in securing them with more intense care, especially those who found themselves in poor medical condition and/or without sufficient funds to live. Despite the 50% cut in financial support planned for interventions of high urgency, 200 persons were assisted in purchasing additional groceries, hygienic supplies, medication, receiving medical examinations, buying bus passes for school children, purchasing of school material at the beginning of school year 2003/2004, as well as meeting administrative and other legal costs with the purpose of realizing return or integration. Occasional assistance was also provided to them in the form of transport from the place of residence to the hospital or other institutions, various activities were organized for children and youth, we referred requests for additional health and legal protection submitting them to different domestic and foreign organizations, various professional psychological and social services were provided according to individual needs. Although our goals of high priority and planned activities in 2003. were turned towards repatriation and integration, which meant an increase of legal aid, Association ĞMIğ intended to maintain a quality of social services by helping the most vulnerable individuals. As UNHCR discontinued cooperation with his other partners, we took over working with refugees in the region where we previously did not have significant interventions. That caused an increased number of our services on the field. Two new hardworking colleagues contributed to the program through high quality realization of expected activities. As additional support in carrying out our regular activities, UNHCR gave us several computers and concession on a car. Following charts describe a total number of services for the last year, in comparison with services, which we provided in 2002, and specific activities relating to beneficiary category, mainly refugees accommodated in collective centers along the coast. Those activities are realized through independent work and/or with assistance from other co-operative organizations, which operate in the Split region. On the following graph, the mentioned increase of field interventions is visible but also a decrease in telephone contacts, that occurred after the closing of the resettlement program to third world countries and a reduced number of telephone contacts from BiH. A smaller number of individual visits to the Information center could be a result of an increased number of field interventions and our moving into new premises during April 2003. The next table shows a review of the number of beneficiaries of different ages, which were assisted on one occasion only or on more occasions for a specific need, within above-mentioned types of service. It is necessary to mention that different types of these specific services are sometimes given to the same persons. Due to that a total number of included beneficiaries in this table does not express a total number of refugees on the area we cover through our work. That number is much smaller than the number shown at the bottom of the last column. With the purpose of reaching the most efficient assistance to refugees, with immense support from UNHCR Knin employees, successful cooperation was developed with regional ODPR offices in Split and Makarska and with Center for social welfare. Regular monthly meetings were held during 2003. By the end of the year OSCE representatives began to attend these meetings. Cross border cooperation which was realized with the purpose of making the process of return easier, resulted with new contacts with a great number of governmental organizations from B&H and also with citizen associations which provide assistance to returnees. Unfortunately, UNHCR in accordance with their strategic plan, made a final decision regarding the closing of its regional offices, so at the end of 2003 we were left without the co-operation from our many friends in Knin. As a result, UNHCR Zagreb will directly co-ordinate activities with its partners on the field, without a mediator. Due to the presence of a significant number of refugees along the coast and issues they are not able to deal with alone, UNHCR prolonged the contract with association MI who will continue with up-to-date activities. A part of Information Center program for 2003. was once again supported by UNHCR, namely the project "Building sustainable community" which aimed to develop inter-ethnic tolerance and communication and co-operation between governmental and non-governmental organizations. Envisaged to be implemented through a regular network of co-operation and forums including a significant number of participants from various organizations from all parts of Croatia, as well as seminars based on conflict resolution and stressful situations, this project was realized through two phases. As a result of co-operation between association Mi and organization WEAVE from India, a four-day seminar was held on the island of Hvar including 25 participants from parts of Croatia directly affected by war events. Participants had an opportunity to gain knowledge and learn skills needed for peaceful conflict resolution and active participation in community deve-lopment. Through the second phase, and in co-operation with OESS-Korenica, workshops for NGOs and local authority representatives from Lika-Senj County and Una-Sana canton B&H, which are directly engaged in the process or return and reconciliation. 32 representatives from both civic and governmental sectors gained insight on the themes volunteer work, community mobilization and communication skills, in addition to establishing co-operation, which resulted in several combined projects. A common conclusion reached by those who organized and those who participated gave an emphasis on the high quality of such gatherings and the need for future co-operation. |
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Last change : 06.09.2010.