Minister thanks countries offering Croatia help in coping with quake aftermath

(Photo: HINA/Damir SENČAR)

ZAGREB, March 24 (Hina) – Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic said on Tuesday that he wanted to express gratitude to all the countries that had donated aid to Croatia since a few strong quakes hit Zagreb on Sunday morning, causing extensive damage to buildings.

“I particularly thank Italy which has sent 26 tents, and we are all aware of the crisis which that country is experiencing. This is a magnificent example of solidarity and humanity,” he said.

Several European Union member states have responded to Croatia’s appeal for emergency relief aid after the Zagreb area was struck by strong earthquakes on Sunday, and the Copernicus emergency management service is helping map the affected areas, the European Commission said on Monday.  

Croatia has activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and the Commission has already helped by sending tents, beds, mattresses, heaters and sleeping bags from Slovenia, Hungary, Austria and Italy, Commission spokesman Eric Mamer told a video press conference.

In addition, the EU’s Copernicus satellite programme, which provides information based on satellite observation of Earth, is helping map the affected area, he added.

Montenegro is also one of the countries that offered assistance and the Montenegrin coastal town of Kotor has donated €5,000 in aid to Zagreb.

The head of the Zagreb crisis management office, Pavle Kalinic, on Monday announced that the city authorities would set up a special support fund and that many, including Russia’s Ambassador to Croatia, Anvar Azimov, the cities of Moscow and Saint Petersburg, had offered support to the quake-hit capital city.

The mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig, wrote on Facebook that the Austrian capital would offer assistance to Zagreb.