Zagreb, February 22, 1995 (IKA) – Out of that number 195.503 are displaced persons (from the occupied territories – UNPAs), 188.167 are refugees (manly from Bosnia and Herzegovina). Displaced persons and refugees comprise 9% of entire population on unoccupied territory of Croatia. 84.000 displaced persons and refugees are accommodated in hotels, former military barracks and newly built settlements for them.
During the last several months, the ethnical cleansing of north-west Bosnian territory under Serbian control intensified, causing the increase of the refugee influx to Croatia. Moreover, Serbs are continually expelling Nonserbs from UNPAs, so few people weekly cross to free parts of Croatia.
Displaced persons and refugees are entitled to food and accommodation – organised by the Office for Displaced Persons and Refugees, primary health protection and elementary education. Organised accommodation for refugees and displaced persons is financed through the King Zvonimir Fund that gets 89% of the finances from the Croatian government. For refugee children primary education is either organised in regular Croatian or in ex-territorial schools. Local medical centres provide health care for displaced persons while at the same time in larger displaced persons and refugee centres there is permanent health protection.