U.S. Ambassador to Slovenia Lynda C. Blanchard joined Ministry of Defense State Secretary Uroš Lampret, Ministry of Labor, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities State Secretary Mag. Cveto Uršič, Director of the Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief (ACPDR) Darko But, and President of the Board of Directors of the Community of Social Institutions of Slovenia Mag. Melita Zorec today to present a donation of 1,660 protective face shields to the Ministry of Labor, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities to support elder care professionals in ongoing efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The U.S. European Command funded the personal protective equipment as part of its Overseas Humanitarian Disaster Assistance and Civic Aid Program, following a request submitted by the Embassy’s in close coordination with ACPDR.
This contribution to crisis management and emergency response capability is a symbol of the longstanding partnership between ACPDR, Slovenian Armed Forces, U.S. European Command, and the Colorado National Guard in working together to protect the people of Slovenia and the broader region. Bilateral and regional disaster preparedness training events focus on response to threats such as wildfires, floods, and earthquakes.
To demonstrate the U.S. commitment to supporting efforts to revitalize the Slovenian economy in the wake of the pandemic, the equipment donated today was produced locally by Ajdovščina-based 3D Solutions, a small business identified through the fair and transparent U.S. government procurement process as able to fulfill all contract specifications and provide a high-quality product that meets safety standards.