Highest priority is to assist families in need, leader says.
On December 28, 2019, the Sisak-Moslavina county in central Croatia was rocked by a 5.2-magnitude earthquake. The following day, another earthquake measured at 6.4 magnitude struck the town of Petrinja, which was strong enough to be felt throughout Croatia and neighboring countries, according to news sources.
Reportedly, the earthquake caused seven deaths and injured 26 people, and more than 60,000 people were affected.
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) began a needs assessment on January 2, 2021, in nine villages in the Glina county where ADRA already serves.
“Many people are in need of roof repairs, shelter, food, non-food items, and clean water,” Slavica Marceta, country director for ADRA in Croatia, said. Her team has been on the ground meeting with several households.
ADRA volunteers carry water tanks to be delivered to a local community in Croatia. [Photo: courtesy of ADRA in Croatia]
ADRA volunteers distribute stacks of hay to feed animals that were also affected by the New Year earthquakes in Croatia. [Photo: courtesy of ADRA in Croatia]
Marceta added that low to no mobile phone signal has posed a challenge in communicating with volunteers in the field. She also said that security is a high priority, as there have been reports of theft. “We are trying to share the location of our storage carefully, but on a need-to-know basis to protect our supplies,” Marceta said.
ADRA volunteers have been dispatched to distribute 200 hot meals to much-needed areas, thanks to a local caterer and authorities the team partnered with.
“We are preparing to expand a call center to continue keeping up with developments and urgent needs of the affected population who are under our care,” Marceta said. “Our highest priority is to ensure that individuals and families can receive help to apply for government assistance.”
About ADRA
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency is the international humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, serving in 118 countries. Its work empowers communities and changes lives around the globe by providing sustainable community development and disaster relief. ADRA’s purpose, according to its leaders, is to serve humanity so all may live as God intended.
The original version of this story was posted by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency.
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