On 5 September, we celebrate International Day of Charity, which aims to raise awareness and encourage people to volunteer to help those in need. The fact that Slovenians are a nation ready to lend a hand was thoroughly demonstrated in August, when our country was hit by floods.
The United Nations General Assembly chose 5 September to honour Mother Teresa, who died on that day in India in 1997. In recognition of the role of charity in alleviating humanitarian crises and human suffering, the day has been declared International Day of Charity.
Helping those affected by the floods
Thousands of volunteers and many humanitarian organisations helped the affected areas of Slovenia and the population during and after the natural disaster.
In the hardest-hit areas, many civil organisations and individuals also came to the aid and showed great solidarity.
Humanitarian organisations, including the Slovenian Philanthropy, Slovenian Red Cross, Slovenian Caritas, the Association of Friends of Youth and many others, are collecting financial aid and will distribute the funds to those in need. Donations are also collected in a special account in the national budget.
Around 33,900 people have so far offered their help through the Poplave 2023 web app, which is designed to help those affected by the floods.
Those who have registered include companies, craftspeople, entrepreneurs and groups of a hundred or more people, so the real number of persons ready to help is even higher.
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Volunteers helped in the affected areas in Slovenia. Photo: Municipality of Celje
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On 5 September, we celebrate International Day of Charity. Photo: alexraths/depositphotos.com
Sandi Curk – European Citizen for 2023
Each year, the European Parliament awards the European Citizen’s Prize to national, cross-border and pan-European projects that promote closer integration and cooperation between EU citizens. Sandi Curk, Commander of the Regional Civil Protection Headquarters for Notranjska, who, among other things, coordinated flood relief efforts in Slovenia, is the recipient of the European Parliament's European Citizen Award for 2023.
With his generous humanitarianism, he helped the Government Office for the Support and Integration of Migrants overcome the biggest obstacles in setting up a home for children and arranging an accommodation facility.
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Sandi Curk wins European Citizen’s Prize. Photo: Bor Slana/STA
Curk gave 120 Ukrainian refugees the opportunity to stay in Slovenia and found accommodations in Postojna for mothers with minor children who had lost everything as a result of Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
International Day of Charity is certainly a good day to help someone, to volunteer and to offer our kindness.
Date: 5. September 2023
Time to read: 2 min
