On 3 August, severe rainfall caused torrential waters and landslides in Slovenia, killing at least six people and causing an estimated five billion euros in damage, according to the Slovenian government. Caritas Slovenia provided immediate relief to the affected population.

Over two-thirds of the country was covered in water, hundreds of houses were swept away by mud, and countless cars were dipped in the streets that had become rivers.

Since the first hours, Caritas Slovenia has provided immediate relief to the people living in the flood-affected areas; also thanks to the crucial support of Young Caritas in Slovenia which managed to put together a database of 3,000 volunteers, registering overwhelmingly generous offers from people to help. Caritas Slovenia has overall raised 5,5 million euros from private donations and received additional five million euros from the Slovenian government.

In its latest assessment, Caritas Slovenia reported that over 8,500 households were severely impacted, with the destruction of 406 houses and severe damage to 2,733 more. The organisation has so far received requests for help from 3,104 families; more than 25 per cent of them are still paying off the mortgage on the property they have lost.

I want to thank the many volunteers in affected areas who were themselves flooded and had their property destroyed.

Jože Kern, Director of diocesan Caritas Ljubljana

Weeks later, many households still grapple with flooded basements and destroyed infrastructures, cleaning up mud and removing debris that has engulfed their homes. To do so, they needed, and still need, a considerable number of driers and cleaning tools. So far, Caritas Slovenia has delivered 425 driers and a system of vouchers to allow affected citizens to buy emergency goods. This was also possible thanks to the support of Caritas organisations in Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czechia, Germany, Italy, Poland and the USA.

Caritas Poland Air Bridge

On 14 August, Caritas Poland landed in Ljubljana with a shipment of 10 tons of humanitarian aid worth about 80,000 euros. The humanitarian organisation delivered long-life food products, towels, bedding, clothing, textiles, dehumidifiers, technical equipment and hygiene items, which are among the most needed items.

We hope that with our help, people will rebuild their homes faster.

Dominika Chylewska, Head of Communications at Caritas Poland.

We are very grateful to all Caritas sister organisations for this great support.

Jana Lampe, Head of International Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid at Caritas Slovenia

Apart from the material aid, Caritas Slovenia is now also considering to set up psychosocial teams to address the emotional toll the disaster has taken on the people who have witnessed such unimaginable destruction. In the meantime, an online hotline to talk to psychotherapists and social workers is already in function.

Anyone who feels the need to talk is welcome. During these days, many Caritas teachers have volunteered to talk to individuals using a lay approach. Both individuals and families have appreciated their comforting words.

Peter Tomazic, Secretary General of Caritas Slovenia

Disaster preparedness

Having faced floods on its soil in 2021, Caritas Germany offered its expertise and insights to Caritas Slovenia about disaster preparedness. As a result of this experience-sharing, Caritas Slovenia added a construction advisor to its team. The construction expert advises affected people on how to rebuild their houses.

Watch the video of Caritas Slovenia receiving the humanitarian aid from Caritas Poland: