Croatia requested assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The assistance, provided in the form of temporary shelters for inhabitants, consisted of ten equipped tents for up to 80 persons, with 60 beds, 60 sleeping bags and 20 heating devices.

Upon sending assistance, the Minister of Defence, Matej Tonin, expressed hope that Europe would preserve its spirit of solidarity in the future when tackling the coronavirus crisis in addition to such natural disasters.

Slovenia immediately responded to Croatia’s request for assistance as part of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, explained minister Tonin, who gave a statement from the civil protection warehouse in Roje. As he said, it seems that recently, fate “really isn’t sparing us”.

“This is the least we can do to help our neighbours in these critical times,” he explained and expressed hope in preserving the spirit of solidarity in the future. “If ever, then it is today that Europe needs solidarity and Slovenia is expressing it with its assistance,” he emphasised.

The aid package is worth EUR 107,000, the minister said. At the border, the civil protection vehicle was provided with a special escort and the assistance was delivered as quickly as possible to the Croatian capital.