2020 Earthquakes in Croatia: What lessons should be identified and learned?

Sažetak

During 2020, Croatia was hit by two major earthquakes and a series of minor earthquakes that caused human casualties and significant material damage, as well as illuminated the state and functioning of the immediate post-disaster response and post-disaster recovery and reconstruction at the local and state level. Earthquakes are not uncommon in Croatia, they happen every day because Croatia is in an earthquake-exposed area, so the assumption is that the country should be ready to face the risks of earthquakes and their consequences. However, the 2020 earthquakes pointed out certain issues in the immediate post-disaster response phase, while more than two years after the first earthquake, the post-disaster recovery and reconstruction process was not initiated. This poses a serious challenge that needs to be explored and the lessons that need to be identified and learned highlighted. Therefore, this research is extremely relevant for Croatia itself, but for other countries that have the opportunity to learn from the Croatian case study as well.