A year ago, after the first of several earthquakes that struck the central Croatian Sisak-Moslavina county, one of the largest operations of the Croatian Red Cross (HCK) began, involving more than 5,000 volunteers and 1,600 staff who provided aid to more than 100,000 people affected by the devastating quakes.

Addressing a press conference called on the anniversary of the first earthquake that rocked the Petrinja area, executive president Robert Markt said the HCK would be on the ground until the last earthquake victim had a firm roof over their head.

Over the past year, the HCK has distributed 1,250 tonnes of food to the people affected, more than 734,000 litres of water, 313 tonnes of hygiene products, almost 10,000 packages of children’s food and gear, and almost 2,500 packages of food for pets.

The HCK has also distributed 4,450 heaters, 5,900 blankets, 700 mattresses and beds as well as raised almost 52 million kuna. Markt said all of they money was given to 32,500 households.

Another 660,000 kuna was given to kindergartens in Sisak-Moslavina County damaged in the earthquakes, while 209,500 kuna was given to the Vrbina Children’s Home in the town of Sisak.

Over the past year HCK staff have provided psychosocial assistance more than 17,000 times as well as organising drives and workshops..

HCK president Josip Jelic said their teams were on the ground on the day of the first earthquake and that initially 100,000 people requested and were given assistance. Today the HCK provides for more than 30,000 quake victims.

Jelic said the HCK had also cleaned up more than 820 wells in the affected areas.

(€1 = 7.5 kuna)