English Section

Poland to send soldiers, equipment to help clean up after floods in Slovenia

09.08.2023 10:00
Poland will send soldiers and specialized equipment to help deal with the aftermath of devastating floods in Slovenia, Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak has announced.
Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak
Polish Defence Minister Mariusz BłaszczakPhoto: PAP/Radek Pietruszka

"The Polish Army will help our Slovenian ally, who is facing the effects of disastrous floods," Błaszczak said in a post on the X social media platform, formerly known as Twitter.

"We will send experienced military engineers and specialized equipment," he wrote on Tuesday.

His announcement came after Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki on Saturday offered his country's help to Slovenia in cleaning up after the floods.

"On behalf of the Polish government, I express our solidarity with all those affected by disastrous floods," Mateusz Morawiecki said in a social media post on Saturday.

"Poland stands ready to support our Slovenian friends," he declared.

Slovenia's Prime Minister Robert Golob said on Saturday that his country faced the worst natural disaster in its history, after flood waters destroyed roads, bridges and houses in the small Alpine country, causing damage estimated at around EUR 500 million, news outlets reported.

Devastating floods last week killed at least six people, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.

About a third of the country's area had been flooded, it said.

Photo:
Photo:
Photo: Photos: EPA/ZIGA ZIVULOVIC JR

The Polish Red Cross (PCK) on Sunday dispatched two trucks loaded with more than PLN 300,000 (EUR 67,500, USD 74,500) worth of humanitarian aid to Slovenia, state news agency PAP reported.

Where to donate to help Slovenia

The Polish Red Cross last week started raising funds to help with the clean-up effort in Slovenia.

The account number to make a donation is: 16 1160 2202 0000 0002 7718 3060.

Please mention "Help for Slovenia" in your transfer.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP/PAPAPpck.pl