The Yugoslav Civil War
How Christians Can Help

When the governments of Slovenia and Croatia declared themselves independent in what was then Yugoslavia in 1991, few people from the West would have predicted the full-scale civil war that has erupted and the displacement of two million people. The UN sanctions against Serbia and Montenegro have had a devastating effect on the economy there, with one estimate predicting a million workers losing their jobs as a result of the sanctions. In addition, the wheat harvest is well below expectations and earnings fell by 50 percent during the first quarter of 1992. As the Western media focuses on the horrors of this civil war, they have begun to cover the brutalities and the shortages of food and medicines. But they have not covered what the Christians are doing there to make a difference.

Missionaries traveling to former Yugoslavia have reported several key needs in ministering to the people:

• FOOD. Yugoslavia's was never a strong economy. Today, most people do not have the money to purchase food even when it is available.
• GLASS. The concussion of heavy artillery has blown away windows in hundreds of thousands of homes. Production of glass in the country cannot begin to fill the need, and winter has arrived.
• CLOTHING AND BLANKETS. In Croatia, it is estimated that 250,000 homes have been destroyed. The homeless now are without clothing, blankets, and shelter.
• CLEANING SUPPLIES. Soap, detergents, and personal hygiene products are all in short supply.
• EVANGELISM. National Christians who are involved in providing relief are keenly aware of the spiritual needs of the people. The challenge to help these people know Christ is immense.

To help minister in the midst of this crisis, contact the agencies listed below:

The Croatian Office of Refugees and Displaced Persons is accepting the help of recognized agencies to provide humanitarian relief. Three of the largest indigenous agencies are Christian:
 

Agape  President Peter Kuzmic  D. Tucovica 32  Osijek, Croatia  Tel/Fax: 38 54 556-466  Vice President Franjo Prem  (Evangelical Church of Croatia)  Sokolovac 1  Zagreb, Croatia  Tel/Fax: 38 41 579-553

My Neighbor (Moy Bliznji)  Dr. Josip Mikulic  Pantovcak 5  41000 Zagreb, Croatia  Tel: 38 41 516-814; 38 41 517-259  Fax: 38 41 538-982  Spiritual Realities  c/o Dr. Branco Lovrec  Durmitorska 31  41000 Zagreb, Croatia  Tel: 38 41 428-559  Fax: 38 41 426-588

Following is a partial list of international organizations providing help to the victims of the civil war:
 

International Red Cross  CICR  19 Av de la Paix  CH-1202 Geneva, Switzerland  Tel: 41 22 934-6001  Fax: 41 22 733-2057  American Red Cross  431 18th St. NW  Washington, DC 20006  Tel: (202) 737-8300  Fax: (202) 347-4486  United Nations High Commission for Refugees  Case Postale 2500  Depot  CH-1211 Geneva 2  Switzerland  Tel: 41 22 739-8111  Fax: 41 22 731-9546  Caritas  Palazzo San Calisto  I-00120 Citta del Vaticano  Vatican  Tel: 39 66 987-197

Samaritan's Purse  P.O. Box 3000  Boone, NC 28607  Tel: (704) 262-1980  Fax: (704) 262-1796  Tear Fund (UK)  100 Church Road  Teddington  Middlesex  TW11 8QE  Tel: 44 81 977-9144  Fax: 44 81 943-3594  World Relief  450 Gunderson Drive  Carol Stream, IL 60188  Tel: (708) 665-0235  Fax: (708) 653-8023  World Vision  919 W. Huntington Drive  Monrovia, CA 91016  Tel: (818) 303-8811  Fax: (818) 301-7786

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© 1993 East-West Church and Ministry Report
ISSN 1069-5664