UNCLAS        ZAGREB 00747

SIPDIS
O 071437Z AUG 07

FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8007
RUEHUP/AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST 1090

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000747 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR AID/OFDA: ROBERT ANDREW 
AID/E&E: VALERIE CHIEN 
RSC/DIR: RKIRKLAND 
FOR EUR/SCE: RBALIAN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID PREL PGOV AFIN AMGT HR
SUBJECT: CROATIA DISASTER DECLARATION 
 
¶1.  I am declaring a disaster in Croatia for the loss of property, 
loss of livelihoods, and actual and potential loss of life caused by 
heat wave-related wildfires currently raging throughout southern 
Croatia. I am requesting USD 50,000 for immediate disaster relief 
from USAID/OFDA.  The Government of Croatia (GOC) is doing its best 
to bring the wildfires under control and protect property and lives, 
but the extent of the wildfires is unprecedented and GOC resources 
are not sufficient to adequately respond to this disaster. Croatia 
is a staunch ally and it is in our interest to provide assistance. 
The GOC will accept USG assistance. USG disaster relief resources 
will be used by USAID procurement officials for the immediate local 
purchase of emergency equipment for the municipalities of Konavle 
and Zupa Dubrovacka. 
 
¶2.  Since July 20, 2007, Croatia has faced severe forest fires, 
which have been aggravated by extremely high temperatures, winds and 
dry conditions. Whereas forest fires are a normal occurrence in 
south-eastern Europe in the summertime, hotter and drier conditions 
this year have overstretched the regions firefighting capabilities. 
In July, there were more than 800 separate blazes in Croatia. The 
situation is particularly bad in the southern province of Dalmatia. 
 
 
¶3.  An emergency situation has been declared in the region of 
Dubrovnik, a UNESCO world cultural heritage site. The emergency 
situation continues as more than 500 fire fighters, volunteers and 
soldiers have been mobilized. Residents of hillside villages 
surrounding Dubrovnik have fled their homes and fires have been 
reported to have destroyed houses. The line of fire above the city 
of Dubrovnik was 12 miles long at one point. Residents are assisting 
fire fighters by carrying hoses and buckets of water to douse the 
flames using handkerchiefs and shirts to protect their faces from 
the thick, overpowering smoke. Unexploded landmines left over from 
the war in Croatia in the early 1990s are hampering the efforts of 
fire fighters. 
 
¶4.  A large number of civilians suffer from smoke inhalation and 
there are a number of people seeking emergency assistance. Dubrovnik 
Mayor Dubravka Suica has imposed a state of emergency and has 
emergency services on alert to evacuate residents from the hillside 
districts. Women, children and elderly people have been urged to go 
to shelters that have been set up. So far, there have been no 
casualties but several civilians and fire fighters have sustained 
light injuries, scratches and sprains. 
 
¶5.   The fires have damaged woodlands, natural parks, farmlands and 
currently they are still active on the territory of the following 
districts: Dubrovnik, Pula, Omis and Virovitica. 
 
¶6.   The fires have broken out primarily in regions that are 
difficult to access, mountainous and which also contain landmines, 
hindering the ability to fight the fires. 
 
¶7.   The Prime Minister of Croatia has requested that assistance be 
targeted to the municipalities with the most urgent needs - Konavle 
and Zupa Dubrovacka - in the region of Dubrovnik. These 
municipalities have an insufficient protective gear and fire 
fighting equipment causing a critical situation that is life 
threatening for the fire fighters and citizens in the region of 
Dalmatia. 
 
¶8.   The municipalities are requesting specific protective gear and 
fire fighting equipment that can be purchased locally. 
 
¶9.   USAID Croatia is in the position to efficiently and quickly 
provide the requested assistance in the current situation. 
 
BRADTKE