Press release on foreign assistance

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, along with the entire diplomatic and consular network, has been informing foreign and international organizations about the aftermath of a series of earthquakes that hit central Croatia end-December 2020.

This unforeseen situation has once again highlighted the benefits of EU membership. As early as December 29, Croatia activated the Civil Protection Mechanism and many member states responded within the first 24 hours by dispatching urgent aid. To date, shipments have arrived from Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden, via land, sea and air.  

Southeast European countries have also promptly reacted to the tragedy, including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey, by sending both financial and humanitarian aid.

Equally so, countries from all corners of the globe have expressed sympathy and offered assistance: Canada, China and Ukraine through financial donations: South Korea and the U.S. by sending humanitarian aid. Numerous other countries have also offered assistance in terms of equipment or experts, which Croatia is not in the position to accept at the moment, but wishes to express gratitude nonetheless.

We are especially grateful to Croatian expatriates all over the world, who have demonstrated exceptional selflessness and, like many times before, through their associations, catholic missions and parishes, shown willingness to help the Homeland in these difficult times. This once again underscored the unbreakable ties between Croatia and its diaspora.

The ministry would also like to thank international organizations such as UNICEF and UNHCR, as well as numerous international partners, foreign investors, companies, civil associations and individuals who have shown solidarity through their generous contributions.

The ministry continues to coordinate aid collection through its international contacts and would once again like to thank everyone for their assistance and compassion. Croatia will not forget this.

For those seeking or offering assistance to quake-hit areas, all information is available at https://potresinfo.gov.hr.