Reception and housing care for Ukrainian refugees in Croatia
About this good practice
Croatia assisted in the reception and care of Ukrainian refugees, as well as in donations of equipment and materials since very begging of the conflict. First step when crossing border is registration for temporaray protection and transport in appropriate accommodation. Since 25 February 2022, the Directorate of Civil Protection has put into use 46 facilities for the care of displaced persons, one laundry company and one transport company. 22 facilities were mobilized (3 Reception and 19 Collective Accommodations), and on the basis of public procurement, persons are accommodated in 24 collective accommodation. Refugees were firstly accommodated in shelters: Reception Center Gospić, Osijek and Varaždin. After medical assistance refugees are reassigned in private accommodation. The Directorate of Civil Protection has published a Public Call for bids for the owner of the housing unit for housing care of displaced persons from Ukraine in individual accommodation. After the verification of the housing unit, the contract between the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Directorate of Civil Protection and the owner of the housing unit is signed. All of refugees accommodated in private accommodation must be registered through the eVisitor system or in competent police station. Result of this kind of housing solutions is integration of refugees in Croatian society, providing them all the necessary help ensuring and them safe environment.
Resources needed
The necessary resources are related mostly to co-financing the cost of rent to the owners of private accommodation. Monthly settlement of the cost of using the housing unit for refugees is determined by the Government of the Republic of Croatia in the Decision on financing the costs.
Evidence of success
Evidence of the success of this housing solution is the number of Ukrainian refugees who have been accommodated in private accommodation in Šibenik so far, and it is about 188 families so far, mostly woman with children. In the area of Šibenik-Knin County, 60 contracts have currently been signed between the owners of housing units and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and 23 of them are active, while in the area of the City of Šibenik 28 contracts have been signed and 12 are active.
Potential for learning or transfer
This practice could be potentially interesting to other regions to learn from because of the simplified method of getting private accomodation inspected, approved and listed in register for refugees. Transfer of this method to other countries is contribution of facilitating all the needs that refugees needs in order to make their stay in foreign countries pleasant.