Annemarie Kury

It was in November 1991; the Slovenian war was over, Slovenia was already independent, Croatia was at war. In the evening, I watched the news on television regarding the war in Croatia, in eastern Croatia, Vukovar, because Serbs had invaded there. It was a war in every aspect and involved shooting. And huge crowds of refugees, displaced people because it was not only refugees but displaced people and I distinguish it, were arriving in Zagreb. Gyms, schools, everything was full. Just like here in 1945. This broadcast was then followed by a roundtable, where the discussion was held only by men. You comprehend every discussion variously. I got the picture of what the other ones should do. What the UN should do, what the Red Cross should do, the charities were always about what the others ought to do. I was enraged by these men, by the whole discussion in general, and yes. I eventually turned it off, sat, and contemplated. So I'm sitting here, observing it while not doing anything about it as well. But what can I do? The next day, although I was still working, I called Caritas in Zagreb. I knew the Carita's director from a certain seminar, and so I told her I had watched the broadcast, wondering how are you really doing, what do you need? I can hear it even now "Food, food, food." Now, if someone tells you or if you ask "what do you need?" and she answers "food", what can you do about it? So I say, "Can I get you anything?" "Yes." "What?" "Everything." "Okay, thanks. I will give it a try." Two days later, I myself put away the passenger seat, which makes me proud still today. I spent my money on the purchase and filled the car with cookies and…...I am still proud of myself today, and I went shopping and filled the car with my money, biscuits and … with everything that is allowed be consumed in the camps.