On December 29, there was an earthquake of 6.2 Richter scale magnitude nearby Zagreb, a capital city of Croatia. Three other cities have been heavily destroyed and there is considerable damage in Zagreb as well. Seven people have died and the rescuers are still searching for survivors. This happened in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic which already confronts the Croatian society with multiple stressors. Furthermore, in March 2020 another earthquake had taken place, which also caused significant damage. This makes the latest earthquake a re-traumatizing experience that further reduces the sense of safety in the Croatian society and poses additional challenges.
The Croatian Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (CSTS) as well as the local Society for Psychological Assistance (SPA) are heavily engaged in the planning and implementation of the psychosocial response to the ongoing crisis.
The year 2020 was indeed a challenging year for the European region as well as for the whole World. At the end of this year the Croatian people are exposed to additional traumatic experiences. The European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies would like to express our solidarity to the Croatian colleagues in dealing with the public mental health consequences of the earthquake and promoting resilient responses to the ongoing crisis.
ESTSS board of directors
