Hope and Aid Direct are appealing for your help to provide urgent support in Croatia (where Hope and Aid Direct’s work began over 20 years ago) after a catastrophic EARTHQUAKE that occurred on 29th December, and yet went almost unreported on UK mainstream media because of BREXIT and Covid. 

The region that was worst affected centred on the towns of Petrinja, Sisak, and Klina, with it’s numerous smaller surrounding rural villages. Seven people were confirmed dead, while 26 others were injured, with six having serious injuries. Destruction is widespread, the centre of Petrinja no longer exists, and rural villagers with damaged houses cannot move because they have livestock to look after.

Essential humanitarian aid supplies of clothes, blankets and food are well supplied by the population in Croatia, so are NOT required, but the Croatian government is providing modular pre fabricated container sized units to house families through the harsh winter months.

We have been approached by one of our partner agencies who have asked for help in providing oil heaters to keep people warm in this temporary accommodation and we have agreed to do this. 

Hope and Aid Direct have already sent £2000 to our partners to purchase an initial supply of roughly 50 heaters, if we hit our target that means we will be able to supply another 300! 

Official details:

At approximately 12:20 PM CET on 29 December 2020, an earthquake of magnitude 6.4 Mw hit the Sisak-Moslavina County, Croatia, with an epicenter located in Strašnik, a village 3 km (1.9 mi) west-southwest of Petrinja. 

Before this event there were three foreshocks, the strongest of which had a magnitude of 5.2 Mw on the day before. The earthquake was followed by numerous aftershocks, the strongest of which had a magnitude of 4.9 Mw. There are continuous aftershocks every day.

Interim damage report: (Provided by State Civil Protection Service)

Sisak County has a population of 175,200, of which 116,000 or 66 percent were directly affected by the earthquake.

Damage was recorded to a total of 35,000 residential buildings, 850 companies, 700 crafts and over 3,000 small farms. In addition, the infrastructure was largely damaged. Out of 56 schools, 9 were completely demolished or irreversibly damaged. Out of 30 sacral buildings, 10 they were completely destroyed.