Civic Solidarity for Kochani

These days we are facing one of the biggest tragedies that has happened to our society. As people and civic activists, we feel a strong need and responsibility to offer support and solidarize with everybody who is directly affected by the tragic event in Kochani.

Part of CSOs and Civica Mobilitas grantees have already offered or joined the support to the victims, families and everybody else. With this post, we want to make this information available to everybody in need.

Below is the information on the support offered by the organizations:

• The team of the First Family Centre (PSC) HERA offers free psychological counselling to everybody affected by the tragedy in Kochani. For support, you can call 070 249 596.
• Association “Initiative for the Rights of Women of Shuto Orizari” offers psychological support to the parents of the children who were affected by the tragedy. Contact: 070 385 831.
• Association of Persons with Cerebral Palsy and Other Disabilities – Veles is available to support the families via psychological assistance by the psychotherapist dr. Vangelica Gavrilova.  
• KRIKopens the doors of their psychological counselling centre in the Multifunctional Centre and offers free psychological assistance to the families affected by the horrible accident. Contact phone: 078 370 987.
• Helsinki Committee for Human Rights (HCHR) offers legal aid and support to the families of the affected who call the telephone number 02/3119 073. HCHR stressed that they will follow the investigation and actions of the institutions in charge.

We are sharing with you the solidarity that is shown at these moments by part of the CSOs, former beneficiaries of Civica Mobilitas grants.

Konekt has started a fundraising campaign for the families of those who have suffered and have been affected by the fire in Kochani. The funds will be used for urgent needs (treatment, legal aid, travel, etc.), psycho-social support, as well as dealing with consequences. So far, the Internet-based campaign Op-op group donations platform has collected MKD 135,800 from citizens. All interested citizens, businesses and entities are called to donate via Op-op or call the telephone number 02/ 3224 198 or contact via konekt@konekt.org.mk.

E-CROWD Foundation has established a Donor Fund for financial assistance to the families of diseased and injured. All collected funds will be equality distributed to all registered families. The campaign is open until the end of the months, and there are already more than MKD 2,000,000 collected. The foundation has put all of its donation collection channels to the disposal of the fund, including the phone numbers.

The First Children’s Embassy in the World MEGJASHI and its team of psychologists and experts are available for direct meetings or phone consultations. Contact: 070 390 632. Apart from ALOBUSHAVKO (070 390 632), there are six phones open for 24 hours for psychological first aid.

Macedonia 2025 has started a donation campaign “Hope for Kočani – Support the Families” to help the affected ones. All the funds will be directly transferred to the Red Cross of the City of Skopje, providing urgent assistance for medical expenses, funeral expenses and emotional support.

Collective solidarity is crucial to help and alleviate the pain of the families affected by the tragedy. Every small gesture is of huge significance, regardless if it concerns donating, volunteering or psychological and legal assistance.