Silver Spring, Maryland-The Adventist Development and Relief Agency
(ADRA) is repairing homes and distributing winter aid supplies to war-stricken families in Croatia that continue to return to their homes after the end of the Croatian War of 1991 to 1995.

The Lika, Kordun, and Banovian region of Croatia were severely damaged during the war, causing hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes in a large scale migration to surrounding countries. Since the end of the war, there has been a steady flow of families returning to back home.

"Although there has been an increase in the number of families returning home in the past couple of years, many returnees are still faced with a number of obstacles," stated Sirill Torkelsen, program consultant for the ADRA's office in Norway. The region targeted for this project is well known for its harsh winter climate, which can drop to -13 F with heavy snowfall, isolating many homes and villages. "This can make it more difficult for the most vulnerable to survive the long winters here," continued Torkelsen.
"Unemployment is also very high," he stated, "and many homes have either been destroyed, looted, or are otherwise occupied."

In cooperation with local government authorities, the ADRA office in Croatia has repaired 806 houses through support provided by the German and Canadian governments, as well as other donors. In 2005, 100 homes have been reconstructed.

ADRA also plans to begin the distribution of winter supplies for returnees at the beginning of December after the reconstruction project ends. For the next three months, ADRA will distribute food and hygiene parcels, firewood, bed-sheets, blankets, and kitchen utensils to 600 returnee families.

The distribution project, valued at an estimated $285,000, is funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs through ADRA's office in Norway.
"There is no question that these funds will make a vast difference in the lives of the families who will benefit from this project," said Frank Teeuwen, bureau chief for Emergency Management for ADRA International.

ADRA's office in Croatia has assisted returnees since 1999, and by the completion of this project will have benefited 15,000 persons.
ADRA has been active providing humanitarian aid in Croatia since 1989.
During the war, ADRA was involved in the distribution of food and clothing to the war afflicted population in Croatia, Bosnia, and Herzegovina.

ADRA is present in 125 countries, providing community development and disaster relief without regard to political or religious association, age, or ethnicity.

Additional information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org.