Slovenians getting day off on 14 August to help with flood relief
Ljubljana, 8 August - The government decided on Tuesday to declare 14 August solidarity day, so citizens will get a day off to help with flood relief efforts. Announcing the decision on Instagram, Prime Minister Robert Golob said Slovenia wanted to wrap up the difficult period in the spirit of solidarity.
Mežica
Floods wreak havoc in Mežica, in the northern region of Koroška.
Photo: Mežica Municipality
He said people would get a day off "to help our acquaintance, neighbour, friend, everyone affected by the severe flooding".
In a video address posted on his Instagram profile, Golob said that many initiatives and proposals had come from citizens in recent days in the face of the catastrophic floods. One of them was to declare 14 August a day off so that "we can all show to those affected by the disaster that they are not alone".
"So yes, the government decided that 14 August will be solidarity day. A day when the entire Slovenia will join forces and every one of us will contribute to the best of their abilities. I am convinced Slovenia can do that," Golob said.
Since 15 August, the Assumption of Mary, is a national holiday, Slovenians will now have four days off, weekend included.
The massive floods that hit the country at the end of last week have been termed the worst natural disaster since independence. Two-thirds of the country have been devastated and many have lost their homes. Six people are thought to have been killed in the storms.