July 1998

The war in former Jugoslavia was one of the worst atrocities of this century:Waldensians are helping with the task of rebuilding by means of two OPM projects.
The United Methodist Committee on Relief is working with the Swiss diaconal protestant organization, Heks,in the areas of Sanski Most and Zenica in Bosnia Herzegovina. For this project of rebuilding OPM gave a contribution of 44 million lire towards the total of 456 million needed in 1997.In 1997 needy farmers received 100 pregnant cows,150 sheep and other animals; each promised to donate the firstborn calf to another farmer,thus creating a chain of solidarity.Already 100 calves and 81 sheep have been transferred in the second half of 1997 and the procedure continues, helping to create better relationships between the different ethnic groups.What has been accomplished represents a step towards a positive improvement in the living conditions of the population;the project will continue in 1998.

In Vojvodina,in Novi Sad, an ecumenical health and welfare centre is at work in support of the refugees; 280.000 of the total of 700.000 refugees created by the war are,in fact,crowded here.The centre operates with the assistance of 5 doctors,5 nurses,2 social workers and a psychologist.These offer health aid to 85 persons a day,psychological help to 20 and legal aid to those who have noone to help them.OPM contributed with the sum of 44 million lire and the help has continued during 1998 because the situation is as tragic as ever and gives little sign of improvement.

In March 1998 two new operating theatres were opened in the Waldensian Hospital of Torino; the former are now being used for minor surgery (day-surgery). In the same first half-year of 1998 new neurologic and neurophysiopathologic wards have been inaugurated; one for hand-surgery,one for otolaryngology and one for gynaecology have also been opened.

A new centre for reservations (CUP),with adjoining annex for blood sample tests has been opened a few metres away from the hospital building to keep restricted traffic spaces clear. The Waldensian Hospital is situated in the area of San Salvario, where it represents an important social ministry for the needy and for the upgrading of the neighbourhood.OPM is contributing to the overall plan of developement with a contribution of 4 billion,subdivided into 5 annual instalments of 800 million each.