The OWHC extends its solidarity to the city of Banská Štiavnica and its citizens after a violent fire impacted its historic centre on the morning of Saturday 18^th of March. Sources indicate that the fire may have initiated at the Love Bank and rapidly extended to the surrounding buildings.

The Historic Town of Banská Štiavnica has been a member of the OWHC for several years, and it is in situations like this that we are reminded of the fragility of our World Heritage properties in the face of natural and man-made hazards; but, it is in these emergency situations that we are also reminded of their capacity for resilience and regeneration.

It is in this perspective that the OWHC is working on the development of an Emergency Assistance Program to support its members facing these so-called catastrophic situations, and will remain available to aid the member city of Banská Štiavnica in developing strategies to overcome the impact and damages caused by this large-scale fire.