ZAGREB, 23 July 2021 - The mayor of Varaždin, Neven Bosilj, on Friday called on residents of this northern Croatian city to start raising funds for Koblenz to help the Germany city cope with the aftermath of the recent disastrous floods.

Donations can be paid into the account on the official website of Koblenz  https://www.koblenz.de/rathaus/verwaltung/pressemeldungen/210716-stadt-koblenz-richtet-spendenkonto-fuer-hochwasseropfer-ein/.

Varaždin and this southwestern Germany city started developing closer ties in the 1990s when Koblenz sent humanitarian aid during the Homeland War. Varaždin and Koblenz became twin towns in 2007 when they signed a partnership charter.

Immediately after the ravaging flooding, Mayor Bosilj forwarded a letter to Koblenz Mayor David Langner, extending condolences to the bereaved families and offering assistance.

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July 17, 2021 - The Civil Protection Directorate of the Republic of Croatia said it was closely monitoring the situation in case of need after heavy rains caused floods in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands in which hundreds of people were killed and more than a thousand missing and wanted.

To date, there are 150 victims and dozens missing from the storms and floods that have hit Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, not to mention the material damage to the destroyed houses and highways. In Croatia, as well as in other European countries, the situation is being closely monitored to respond in the best way in case it is necessary to evacuate the population. For the moment, the Croatian Civil Protection ask not to generate panic and at the same time, avoid exposing themselves to risks such as going out for outdoor activities, reports Večernji List, reminding that Belgium has activated the EU civil protection mechanism and requested the help of rescue teams.

Given the situation with floods throughout the European Union, the Directorate of Civil Protection of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia is closely monitoring the situation in order to react in a timely manner in case of need.

"At the same time, we advise everyone who does not have a strong need not to go on the road. Drivers, if they are on the road, are advised to be patient and careful during bad weather''.

We also urge citizens not to go on trips to the surrounding mountains, forests, open areas, then to rivers such as camping, and those staying at sea to be especially careful if they intend to spend the night outdoors.

Boat owners are advised to follow the forecasts of the competent services (DHMZ and the Maritime Meteorological Center).

If unfavorable weather conditions occur, we urge citizens not to panic, and for all significant events, especially those in which the resulting health and safety of citizens may be endangered, we urge you to call 112 in order to be able to get help from the competent services", it is stated in the announcement.

For more information on who to call in case of emergency in Croatia, check out Total Croatia's overview of the important numbers, agencies, and advice in case of an unplanned disaster HERE.

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ZAGREB, 29 June, 2021 - President Zoran Milanović held a working meeting on Tuesday with members of the HGSS mountain rescue service, with its leaders informing him of the HGSS's structure and the way it provides assistance to people in areas affected by earthquakes and floods.

They also informed Milanović of the preparations for the tourism season, saying that each year, the HGSS has a large number of interventions, the President's Office said in a press release.

HGSS is a voluntary, non-profit, humanitarian, national service, it was said at the meeting. It conducts rescue operations but its mission also includes prevention and education. The service numbers 1,100 members, and they are all volunteers who annually conduct about 1,000 interventions throughout Croatia.

HGSS was founded in 1950 and it marks its day on 15 June, the Feast of St. Bernard, the patron saint of mountain climbers and mountain rescuers.

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Experts say climate change is only partially to blame for recent catastrophic floods that hit Croatia