THE ROLE OF THE ŠKOFJA LOKA REGIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THE SLOVENIAN RED CROSS IN THE AUGUST 2023 FLOODS

Abstract

While the Selška Sora and Poljanska Sora rivers had proven their destructive power several times in the past, the flooding of August 2023 was among the worst. The Poljanska Sora reached a 100-year water level. The Slovenian Red Cross – the Škofja Loka Regional Association – immediately launched activities to assist the flood victims, liaising with the Civil Protection Commanders of the municipalities of Gorenja vas-Poljane, Škofja Loka and Žiri, and activating first-aid teams and local RC committees. It organized an operations centre, collected and distributed fi­nancial and material assistance, set up an evacuation centre, and provided psychosocial support. Together with the local services, members of the first aid teams delivered essential supplies to hard-to-reach areas. A Dacia Duster 4x4 vehicle provided by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent facilitated the delivery of humanitarian aid. Some members of the first aid teams were trained to provide long-term psychosocial support to those affected. After weeks of working in challenging conditions, the members experienced physical exhaustion, so a group debriefing was organized. As disasters are a future reality, training and strengthening the cooperation of all those involved in the response is essential, while first aid teams must be properly equipped to work in difficult weather conditions such as catastrophic flooding.