President discusses floods situation with Red Cross head
Ljubljana, 25 August - President Nataša Pirc Musar met Jagan Chapagain, secretary general of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), on Friday to discuss the devastating floods that hit Slovenia in early August and the role of charities in the post-flood reconstruction and aid to the victims.
Ljubljana
President Nataša Pirc Musar (right) holds talks with Jagan Chapagain, secretary general of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA
Ljubljana
President Nataša Pirc Musar (left) shakes hands with Jagan Chapagain, secretary general of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA
Ljubljana
President Nataša Pirc Musar (right) holds talks with Jagan Chapagain, secretary general of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA
Ljubljana
President Nataša Pirc Musar (right) holds talks with Jagan Chapagain, secretary general of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA
Ljubljana
President Nataša Pirc Musar (right) holds talks with Jagan Chapagain, secretary general of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA
Pirc Musar and Chapagain discussed the role of digital tools in the reconstruction, agreeing that innovative digital methods could make the reconstruction more efficient, faster and more transparent.
The pair also discussed the need for providing psychosocial support to those affected by the floods, as well as to those who help them.
The IFRC will provide its support, expertise and tools in both areas, Chapagain said, according to the president's office.
The IFRC secretary general, who also visited the recently flooded areas on Thursday, stressed that climate change is making the weather more volatile and unpredictable, and that "we need to adapt and better prepare for this".
Pirc Musar agreed that climate change and the natural disasters that accompany it are one of the main challenges that will need more attention.
The head of the Slovenian Red Cross, Ana Žerjal, the organisation's secretary general Cvetka Tomin, and her deputy Nuška Jerman also attended the meeting.
The officials discussed the situation at the Slovenian Red Cross, its response to natural and humanitarian disasters and the possibility of closer cooperation with the state and the private sector.
Pirc Musar thanked all humanitarian organisations for their support during the catastrophic floods. "Every day, together with other charities, the Slovenian Red Cross helps people in need in various ways and is the first to offer a hand of solidarity and support, uniting people in the noble mission of humaneness and helping fellow human beings in need," she said.
The president assured the charities of her support, and highlighted the solidarity and unity among the people of Slovenia and the rapid aid that has arrived from neighbouring and other countries.
Chapagain began his visit to Slovenia on Wednesday by meeting Žerjal and other representatives of the Slovenian Red Cross. After a visit to the floods-hit Škofja Loka area on Thursday and a meeting with volunteers, he also met Prime Minister Robert Golob, Defence Minister Marjan Šarc and Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon.