Zagreb, Fra Stipe Marcinkovic, guardian of the monastery in Jajce and head

Trogir, March 20, 1996 (IKA) – On March 20, returning to Jajce from

of the parish Caritas and St. Anthonýs Bread, stated that there is a grave

food shortage in the city of Jajce and vicinity. The warehouses are empty.

None of the promised shipments of humanitarian aid have arrived and it is

not known if and when any will arrive. Fra Stipe issued the following

appeal: « I call upon all people of goodwill, here and throughout the world,

to send help, at least the urgently needed basic foodstuffs such as flour,

rice, sugar, salt, potatoes and hygienic supplies. » Fra Stipe also stated

that since September 1995, nearly 10,000 returnees, including approximately

3,000 children, have been subsisting exclusively on the assistance provided

by Church humanitarian organizations. « The economy has collapsed and there

are no signs yet of a revival. The few people with employment receive low

wages. Worst of all is that among the returnees, an (un)justified fear of

hunger prevails. Some have already left the city and many are preparing to

do so. This is causing general concern, especially to the Franciscan

priests who had urged the people to return, » said Fra Stipe. Emergency

assistance should be sent to Jajce. Further information can be obtained by

telephone from Jajce ( ) 79-121 or Trogir (021) 884-323. (d03206/sp/mjb)

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