Over 13,000 people offer help to flood-hit areas via online app

When a user logs in, the application shows a list of services and material that the Civil Protection and Disaster Relief Administration needs for the flood-stricken areas.

Currently in the greatest demand is transportation of people and material, including with heavy machinery and lorries, and tractor assistance. Help is also needed in construction and mechanical work, repair of plumbing, electrical and gas installations and installation of heating devices.

The list of services that are in demand includes painting, parquetry and laying of other types of flooring, masonry, installation of prefabricated walls, roofing, carpentry, facade work, metalworking, locksmithing, protection of property in the affected areas, recording with drones and installation of toilet cubicles.

In construction and mechanical work, there is a need for workers and operational managers, technicians and engineers, while also in demand is professional assistance from geologists and experts for bridge safety assessment.

People with special needs in the affected areas need assistance, and people also need helping hands in farmwork.

Also required in the flood relief efforts is construction material, fuel, agricultural and forestry equipment, machines and tools, protective work equipment and material for assistance to farmers. The aid provider can either lease or lend it.

"What is important at this stage is that this help is used to clear roads, renovate houses, and remove material," Sandi Curk of the Civil Protection told the STA, adding that the list would be adjusted depending on the situation.

Curk called on craftspersons and entrepreneurs to send their teams, which would be "self-sufficient and able to immediately get involved in work on the ground," to the affected areas for a day or two.

He added that the Civil Protection would ensure the access of volunteers and material to places that are difficult to access. "We are making the effort for help to come to these areas quickly, but not all roads are open yet."

Curk noted that around 1,200 individuals and groups had offered help through the application in the first two hours alone. "Citizens are the greatest heroes," he said, thanking everybody for the readiness to help.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) has meanwhile launched an online platform through which companies can provide assistance to businesses that are the most affected by the floods.

By means of the gzs.si/poplave2023 platform, the GSZ is seeking aid from companies that have much-needed goods at their disposal, such as construction material, mechanical equipment, toiletries, food, clothing, footwear and the like.

The chamber will forward the data collected through the platform to all competent institutions, including Civil Protection, local communities and competent ministries, which will further disseminate the information, the GZS said.

It added on its website that, while the damage caused by the floods is still being assessed, there are reports that some individual businesses have suffered damage that exceeds tens of millions of euros.