The Solidarna human rights and solidarity foundation sent an open letter to PM Andrej Plenkovic on Wednesday demanding that all earthquake victims, who have been fending for themselves after last year's quakes, and organisations providing humanitarian services be exempt from paying VAT.

“All donors, individuals and groups alike, should be exempt from VAT payment on the condition that they produce a declaration stating the purpose of goods or services provided and a declaration by the aid recipient on having received the donation,” the foundation and its partner, the Zamah regional development foundation, say in a statement.

Such a decision would make it possible for much more goods and services to reach the victims and help restore trust in the state institutions, they say, recalling that a recent amendment regarding quake relief after the 29 December earthquake in Sisak-Moslavina County only referred to business entities donating their own goods or services but not all other donors.