Earthquake Donations in Action: Croatian Entrepreneurs (UGP) Fund Report, January 18

The donations are pouring in from all over the world to help the victims of the earthquakes in Petrinja, Glina and Sisak, donations which have been gratefully received and which are making a difference.

As I wrote previously, many people have contacted us at TCN asking for advice on the best place to send money. We published a list a few days ago, but I was really happy to see one more fund set up a couple of ago, from Udruga Glas Poduzetnika, or Voice of Entrepreneurs, which is a growing force for reform and change in Croatia. Run by people who want to see an end to corruption and needless red tape, I was sure that their efforts to help their fellow citizens in crisis would be transparent, dynamic, focused and effective, with all money donated going to the people who needed it most. And so it proved, which is why I am now directing anyone looking for a place to donate to UGP, as I explained a few days ago.

UGP co-founder Drazen Orescanin was kind enough to give me an in-depth interview yesterday on the focus, plans and activities of the UGP fund, and it was great to hear that 100% of the money donated will go to help those who need it most.

In order to provide more transparent donation information, we agreed to publish a daily report of the fund’s activities, finances and purchases. As resources and time allow, this will be a daily feature, and you can track progress here.

Daily activities

Yesterday, we delivered two housing containers to families in Petrinja and Sisak. While they are waiting for the renovation and construction of their homes, the family of Ana Bjelanović and the family of Gordana Ivanković got a safe roof over their heads.

What’s next?

This week we are planning to deliver six more housing containers to families from Petrinja, Sisak and Glina.

Also, today we announced UGP house – earthquake-resistant house that was developed by our Committee for Architecture and Construction. The house is adapted to the city and rural lifestyle. In addition, the house is made to be adaptable to expansion of family and life of three generations under the same roof. In addition, it is designed for a minimum of four members of the household. Although there are many elderly people in the affected area, we concluded that in the long run it is better to build a home that one day a family can move into with children. That is the demographic aspect of this project.

We will start the construction of the UGP house as soon as the weather conditions allow it.