ECHOS Home The Source

After the death of Yugoslavian dictator Tito and the collapse of the communistic system, the central government lost their            grip on the federal republics Croatia and Slovenia. In June 1991 these republics proclaimed their independence. Both       republics got invaded by the Yugoslavian federal army. Especially in Croatia this resulted in heavy battles. The international community, including The Netherlands, sent observers to Croatia and Slovenia. The Dutch participation in this European Community Monitoring Mission was the first effort of Dutch forces in former Yugoslavia. Despite international efforts to contain    the situation, the war spread across the Balkan, involving almost all countries and ethnic groups in the region. The eventual course of this conflict is well documented.

In the wake of the rapid deployment of international forces in the region it was recognised that all those people living and    working in stressful situations, need places to offload, recreate, and relax. That is why the European Christian Home Organisation (ECHOS) was formed, and individual members built soldiers' homes across the region.