Knin, April 18, 2001 (IKA) — During the Lenten and Easter seasons, many parishes throughout Croatia have joined in collecting assistance for the numerous endangered families in the Knin region. This humanitarian project was initiated by the Knin Branch of Caritas that has called attention to the gravity of the situation. The appeal states that a humanitarian catastrophe has occurred in Knin, approximately 12,000 persons are living on the edge of survival and approximately 80% of the population is unemployed. Among those most endangered are families with several children. Otherwise, Knin is the city with the highest birthrate in Croatia. This year, over 200 children took first communion and an almost equal number received confirmation. As a consequence of the situation, many families have decided to move to foreign countries in Europe and and other continents. The majority of these families are refugees from Bosnia, who are unable to return to their homes in areas under Serbian control due to the political situation, and whose status in the Republic of Croatia has not been legally defined. Therefore, the Caritas Branch of Knin urges all people of good will from Croatia and throughout the world to provide assistance, whether in money, food or hygienic materials. Caritas has recently opened a public kitchen in Knin that distributes 300 hot meals