EIB donates EUR 200,000 to flood-hit communities in Slovenia
Bled, 28 August - The European Investment Bank (EIB) announced on Monday a EUR 200,000 donation to Slovenian communities most affected by the early-August floods. The decision was unveiled on the sidelines of the Bled Strategic Forum, Slovenia's premier foreign policy event, which is about to start in the lakeside town of Bled.
Ljubljana
European Investment Bank vice-president Lilyana Pavlova.
Photo: Katja Kodba/STA
File photo
The EIB will donate the contribution through its philanthropic arm EIB Institute to support some 500 families who suffered damage in the recent devastating floods, described as the worst natural disaster in the country's living memory.
The donation will be managed by the children's charity Slovenian Association of Friends of Youth (SAFY), the EIB said in a press release.
"The EIB contribution will help provide immediate as well as longer-term support such as preparation for the winter months and extra-curricular activities for children. It will be focused on people living in the Gorenjska and Štajerska regions, hit the hardest by the floods and landslides."
Noting the catastrophic impact of the floods that caused damage worth several billion euros, the EIB said that the donation "will complement EU Commission support of EUR 400 million from the EU Solidarity Fund, as well as from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism".
Before signing the donation agreement, EIB Vice President Lilyana Pavlova said: "In the days immediately after the disaster, President [Werner] Hoyer made it clear to the Slovenian authorities that the EIB is ready to help in whatever way we can. I have taken the opportunity while here at the Bled Strategic Forum to reiterate that message of solidarity with the Slovenian authorities and the offer of support whether financial or advisory, where and when it is needed."
Breda Krašna, SAFY secretary general, thanked the EIB for "their unwavering support during these challenging times" as she underlined that the humanitarian organisation's efforts have so far helped more than 75 struggling families. The donation "will play a pivotal role in continuing to assist these families, particularly the children and youth who are working hard to rebuild their lives and education," she added.