SLOVENIA DISASTER DECLARATION

UNCLAS LJUBLJANA 000681

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT PASS TO USAID/OFDA ROBERT ANDREW

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREL SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA DISASTER DECLARATION



1. I am declaring a disaster in Slovenia for the loss of
lives, property, livelihoods, and serious damage to
infrastructure caused by a surprise flood that damaged
one-third of the Republic of Slovenia. I hereby request
$50,000 for disaster relief from USAID/OFDA.


2. On September 18, 2007, Prime Minister Janez Jansa declared
the September 17 floods in Slovenia to be a national
disaster. The Government of Slovenia's (GOS) quick response
kept the loss of lives to seven. The immense amount of rain
and subsequent flooding, however, caused an estimated 200
million euro of heavy damage to one-third of the country.
The GOS resources are not sufficient to respond fully to this
disaster. The GOS does not maintain a emergency fund for
disaster relief. During the first few days during and after
the floods, the GOS deployed 6,000 firefighters and 1,000
soldiers to help in search and rescue operations and the
provision of immediate relief to those affected by the
floods. The GOS has requested assistance from the USG
specifically for the municipality of Zelezniki, which endured
the most deaths and damages from the flood. Zelezniki
experienced a flash flood that resulted in a 7 foot "tsunami"
tearing through the town at high speed, sweeping away
hundreds of cars, buses, and, tragically, individuals. In
its wake it left hundreds of damaged homes, the medical
clinic had to be abandoned, and the town's water treatment
plant was knocked out of commission. Assisting the GOS will
show moral and humanitarian support, and will provide
much-needed help to restore clean drinking water to the
residents of Zelezniki. The GOS has been a staunch NATO
ally, punching well above its weight in its military
participation in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo. Slovenia also
contributed to the relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina.


3. Current situation: 43 municipalities were affected by the
flood. The GOS has allocated 1.5 million euro from the
budget of the Ministry of the Environment for the most urgent
repairs, with half of that spent already on immediate
assistance following the flooding. The GOS Office of Civil
Protection and Disaster Relief has requested assistance from
the U.S., specifying that the greatest need is in Zelezniki.
The GOS estimates that reconstruction country-wide will cost
over 200 million euro, with 70 million euro needed for the
municipality of Zelezniki. The flood was particularly
disasterous for Zelezniki since it had just spent several
million euros on reconstruction in 2002. Zelezniki, with the
support of the GOS, has established a special fund for
contributions received toward flood relief.


4. Our plans for the $50,000: Post, in cooperation with the
Mayor's Office in Zelezniki and with the approval of the GOS,
would transfer the $50,000 to a special fund created
especially for the flood relief effort in Zelezniki for use
in constructing a water pump station and fence. The flood
destroyed all the water treatment and pump stations in
Zelezniki. One month after the floods and Zelezniki
residents must still boil water for consumption. The Mayor of
Zelezniki, Mihael Prevc, told Charge that many of the
residents of Zelezniki are discouraged by the disaster and
are considering leaving the town, rather than rebuilding.
Re-constructing the water pump station would help provide
clean water, enhance public health and help restore a sense
of normalcy to the disrupted lives of the residents.


5. Other donors: Slovenian businesses and individuals have
given strong support across the nation. The Slovenian Red
Cross and NGO Caritas have been active in the affected areas
providing meals and distributing bottled water. The GOS is
currently finalizing a damage asessment report to submit to
the EU Solidarity Fund. The EU Solidarity Fund, which was
established in 2002, assists member states in case of natural
disasters that cause 3 billion euro in damages or 0.6% of its
gross national income. The Fund has an annual budget of 1
billion euro. In the case of Slovenia, 200 million euro is
about 0.65%. The Fund can take up to four months to
determine if it will support Slovenia's request and to what
amount. We believe our support in providing potable water
will be of great assistance to the people of Zelezniki until
further support is obtained.

COLEMAN