In 2023, ADRA Slovenia responded to the worst natural disaster in Slovenia’s history. From 3 to 6 August, Slovenia was hit by widespread, recurring storms, heavy rains and downpours, leading to devastating
floods on 4 August 2023. Two thirds of Slovenia’s territory was affected. Most of the damage was to road, energy and housing infrastructure. ADRA launched initial response activities and activation of the ADRA Network Disaster Response Plan as soon as the flooding started.

ADRA Slovenia responded to the storm by setting up field teams to assess the actual needs in the affected areas. Fundraising for emergency humanitarian aid was also launched immediately. To design an effective response to the needs of the most affected citizens, we worked with civil protection, local authorities (municipalities,
fire brigades, social work centres) and other organisations on the ground.

Assistance and technical support was also provided by ADRA International and ADRA Europe through the Crisis Response Unit. ADRA Europe’s local offices, the ADRA network, private partners and individuals have stepped up to help with funding and equipment.
In line with ADRA Slovenia’s National Crisis Response Plan, networking with other actors on the ground and with the professional support of the ADRA network, we have identified areas and phases of response in order to respond as effectively as possible to the urgent needs of the most affected and vulnerable.

Areas where ADRA responded:

In view of the damage and the needs, we have focused our response and emergency humanitarian assistance on three regions and surrounding areas: Central Slovenia Region (municipalities Komenda, Mengeš, Kamnik), Savinja region (municipalities Ljubno ob Savinji, Nazarje, Braslovče, Gornji Grad, Spodnja Rečica, etc.), Carinthia region (municipalities Mežica, Prevalje, Črna na Koroškem, Ravne na Koroškem).

Phase 1 – FIRST INITIAL RESPONSE In Phase 1, we responded to the need for water and basic household supplies, assistance with house cleaning and the provision of cleaning equipment (wheelbarrows, shovels, brooms), with the help of 500 volunteers, who in total provided more than 5,100 hours of volunteer work. In total, we cleaned 146 homes and removed 336 tonnes of mud and waste materials. In addition, we distributed hygiene and other basic items to 120 families and individuals.

Phase 2 – EMERGENCY HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE We distributed 255 dehumidifiers to 225 households (563 individuals) that were suitable for drying flooded buildings, meaning they had the capacity to dry a 100 square metre building, 50-70 litres of water storage space and could operate continuously. Dryers were provided to 162 households in the Savinja Region, 65 in the Central Slovenia Region, and to the remaining households across other areas. 144 dryers came from ADRA Serbia, ADRA Austria, ADRA Croatia, ADRA Slovakia and ADRA Czech Republic, and a further 111 dryers were rented/supplied by ADRA Slovenia from an external NGO.
In addition, more than 500 basic packages with hygiene, household and children’s items were distributed.

Phase 3 – EMERGENCY HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE to start reconstruction and provide for basic needs
In Phase 3, we helped the flood-affected people with voucher cards and direct financial assistance, as the floods had largely destroyed the interior furnishings of their homes and they had (or will continue to have) to dry out and rebuild their houses and flats, and their electricity costs were also higher due to the drying out of their houses. We helped 479 households with a voucher or direct financial assistance, reaching a total of 1,379 people, including 558 women, 509 men, 156 under-age girls and 156 under-age boys. They also included at least 37 persons with disabilities and at least 122 retired persons.

Initial clean-up and assistance in Meliše area

ADRA provided valuable assistance to the elderly during the floods, which was especially needed by an elderly couple from Meliše village. The volunteers visited the couple because the gentleman and the lady had asked for help with a dehumidifier, as their weekend home, where they were planning to make their retirement home, was completely flooded. In addition to the dehumidifier, the volunteers also brought some hygiene items. They saw that their house was covered with mud. The elderly gentleman had a lot of trouble cleaning up from the start, his wife said: “My husband almost fainted from the amount of work and we are both very sad about what happened.” And although the request was modest, the help of volunteers and all the work done was much needed.Their house is located on a plain where the Savinja River flows and a lot of material was dumped around their house. Later on, it turned out that the elderly couple really had a lot of material damage, they are both retired and belong to vulnerable groups. “Thank you so much to the donors of ADRA Slovenia and to all the volunteers who helped us – you remain in our hearts. This help really came in very handy. Thank you.”

Pictures and Report shared by ADRA Slovenia