The Pope’s donation to Caritas Croatia will provide urgent relief and support to the inhabitants of the Banja region, which has been recently devastated by earthquakes. The Pontifical Council for Integral Human Development sent the donation to Caritas Croatia via the Apostolic Nunciature in the Republic of Croatia. The Apostolic Nuncio to Croatia, Msgr. Giorgio Lingua, informed the President of Caritas Croatia, Msgr. Bože Radoš, of this donation in writing.

“Caritas /Croatia thanks the Holy Father Francis for his expression of proximity in prayer and material assistance that will provide warm and safe shelter to those left without roofs over their heads,” said the President of Caritas Croatia, Bishop Bože Radoš of Varaždin.

This and other donations from legal entities, Croatian Catholic missions and private citizens, by direct personal payments or by calling the donation telephone number ++385 (0)60 9010 (6.25 HRK with VAT included), will be used for the procurement of housing modules and the urgently needed care of the earthquake victims.

“Every day we bear witness to the active love of numerous volunteers, citizens and companies. We are especially pleased that Pope Francis has decided to act in a timely and concrete manner, via Caritas Croatia, an institution of the Croatian Conference of Bishops,” said the Director of Caritas Croatia, Msgr. Fabijan Svalina.

So far, Caritas Croatia has contracted the delivery of 100 housing modules with the company Tehnix. The first deliveries began on January 16. The need for housing is still great. Caritas Croatia is purchasing another 100 new housing modules and invites contributions from all people of good will.