Croatian towns cancel New Year’s Eve celebrations to provide support to Petrinja earthquake victims

The cities that have joined the initiative are Zadar, Sibenik, Split and Dubrovnik

Following the devastating earthquake that took place earlier this week in Croatia’s Petrinja, mayors from nearby cities are pledging their support to locals and the city’s administration. This support comes at the expense of their planned New Year’s programmes which are being scrapped in favour of providing some much-needed funding to the Petrinja’s government and charities.

True camaraderie

Immediately after the devastating earthquake that hit Petrinja, the mayors of the four largest Dalmatian cities Zadar, Sibenik, Split and Dubrovnik, Zeljko Buric, Andro Krstulovic Opara, Branko Dukic and Mato Frankovic, agreed at a video meeting to cancel their planned New Year's programs and decided to immediately provide 150,000 kuna each to the struggling city of Petrinja. At the same time, they started coordinating all emergency services and made available all the necessary resources from mechanization, accommodation capacities to further financial assistance.

The official statement released by the local governments of the four cities states that "We express our condolences and solidarity due to the consequences of the strong earthquake that hit Petrinja and the Petrinja area. We deeply regret the tragic loss of life and the damage caused and wish a speedy recovery to the injured. Our cities are at your disposal and we are ready to help."

Numerous initiatives have already also popped up allowing citizens from nearby cities to provide shelter and aid to those who have lost their homes or livelihoods due to the earthquake. The Croatian Red Cross is also coordinating relief efforts and is in constant need of donations, supplies and suggestions that could help alleviate the suffering of Petrinja’s citizens.