President Visits Child Victims of Conflict in Gaza

Ljubljana, 17.6.2009  |  press release

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, today visited children from Gaza who have come to Slovenia for rehabilitation at the Institute for Rehabilitation, Republic of Slovenia. The 21 children are mostly victims of the January conflicts in the Gaza area, who suffered severe physical injuries. Some suffered limb injuries due to exploded grenades, while others remained confined to wheelchairs because of injuries from the war. The children travelled to Slovenia on the initiative of President Türk and will remain in Slovenia with their attendants until the end of the month. Dr Türk also took the opportunity to meet with Slovenian children in rehabilitation at the Institute.

Through his conversations with the children and expert staff of the Institute, President Türk became acquainted with the expert care and rehabilitation implemented so far. Some children have already received new supports, prostheses and wheelchairs, which they skilfully use. Specialists at the Institute for Rehabilitation Republic of Slovenia and representatives of the International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance (ITF) carried out the patients' diagnosis and prepared plans for their rehabilitation in accordance with their findings.

An important role in the realisation of the programme of assistance to children from Gaza was played by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, which earmarked EUR 146,000 for this purpose. The Minister of Health, Borut Miklavèiè oversaw the implementation of the programme. The ITF, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Slovenian Embassy in Israel and Karmen İvegl, the correspondent of RTV Slovenia for the Middle East were all involved in the programme, while an important co-ordinating role was played by the Office of the President of the Republic of Slovenia. Besides other tasks, President Türk completed talks with the Israeli president, Shimon Peres, and with the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, with the intention of smoothing progress on the project. To this end, the first contacts with the relevant authorities in Gaza and Palestine were established five months ago.

The continuation of this humanitarian work and helping war victims in Gaza was also advocated by the United States of America, which contributed USD 150,000. The decisive role in this decision was played by the American Embassy in Ljubljana, which continuously monitored the events related to this project. The Republic of Korea (South Korea) has contributed USD 20,000 for the broadening and continuation of this project, and the Kingdom of Sweden has also pledged support.