Original scientific paper
Podravina Region Caring for Children in Distress During the World War One
Mira Kolar Dimitrijević
orcid.org/0000-0002-6050-5700
; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb – Full Professor (retired)
Abstract
During the First World War, due to drought, interrupted traffic and difficulties with short supplies, the south of Austro-Hungarian Empire was suffering from great hunger. People were dying in great numbers, which prompted the main Committee for refugees and families of drafted or killed soldiers to start a humanitarian action on great scale- to move children from Istria to northern Croatia. Soon the Franciscans joined them, trying to save endangered Catholic children from Herzegovina. It meant safety for children from other regions like Dalmatian, Bosnia, Slovenia, children from Gorilla and Slovenian coastal area, so the humanitarian efforts, led from Seagram by Dr. Josip Šilović and Dr. Đuro Basariček widespread. Altogether, over 20.000 children were moved to safety, care and nurturing, including some 1.000 children in Podravina as well. It’s difficult to give exact, accurate numbers, as records during wartime were partial, and the listing from 1920 does not include children, having already returned to their homes.
It needs to be stressed out, that the humanitarian action was of extraordinary importance, as it helped minimize bigotry and religious intolerance, proving that getting along together in harmony and understanding can solve even more complex issues. However, this opportunity was not used after the war.
Keywords
World War One; children; teachers; clergy; administration; Croatia; Hercegovina; Dalmatia; Bosnia; Slovenian coastal area
Hrčak ID:
78234
URI
Publication date:
1.11.2006.
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