Croatia December 2020 Earthquake Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment

On December 29, 2020, Sisak-Moslavina County in Croatia was struck by a 6.2 magnitude earthquake with the epicenter 6 km outside the town of Petrinja. The earthquake was preceded by a 5.0 magnitude earthquake on December 28, 2020; and numerous aftershocks were recorded, including a 5.0 magnitude earthquake on January 6, 2021. The December earthquakes ended an extraordinary year for Croatia, due to compounding effects of a major earthquake in March 2020, COVID-19 pandemic, and economic challenges linked to these. 

Understanding the disaster impacts is critical to identify priorities and principles for developing a strategic framework for resilient recovery and reconstruction and revitalization of the affected areas. With this objective in mind and building on lessons learnt after the March 2020 earthquake, the Croatian government conducted between January and March 2021 a rapid damage and needs assessment (RDNA). This multi-stakeholder process was coordinated by the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction, and State Assets (MoPPCSA), with support from the World Bank. This report provides a structured account of the earthquakes’ sectoral, economic, and social impact, highlighting key findings and providing recommendations for recovery and reconstruction. The report compiles damage, loss, recovery, and reconstruction estimates across 13 sectors for five administrative areas based on data provided by government officials and other assessment stakeholders.