Didak Buntić: Franciscan humanitarian who saved thousands of children

Didak Buntić (1871–1922), a Croatian Franciscan and humanitarian, is recognized for saving approximately 17,000 children in Herzegovina from starvation during World War I. To combat the famine caused by war conditions and food shortages, Buntić traveled to Vienna to seek assistance from the Emperor.

He successfully organized the transport of thousands of vulnerable children to the Slavonia and Srijem regions, where food supplies were more stable. While many children eventually returned home, some remained in the northern regions permanently due to the loss of parents or personal choice.

Beyond his humanitarian efforts, Buntić was a dedicated educator who advocated for literacy in Herzegovina. Operating out of Široki Brijeg, he implemented a teaching method where students passed their knowledge on to others after completing their schooling. He studied philosophy and theology in Innsbruck, Austria, and was elected provincial of the Herzegovinian Franciscans in 1919.