The master's thesis explores various aspects of the humanitarian aid provided by the Socialist Republic of Slovenia to Skopje following the catastrophic earthquake on July 26, 1963. The thesis focuses on how Slovenia organized its aid efforts and presents the main areas of Slovenian humanitarian support after the earthquake. It describes the event of the earthquake, the extent of material damage, and the initial responses from both domestic and international communities. Special attention is also given to the development of earthquake-resistant construction standards in what is now Slovenia. The main part of the thesis is devoted to the establishment of Slovenian aid committees and institutions, an overview of different types of aid (medical, material, construction), and especially the reception and accommodation of evacuees in the Socialist Republic of Slovenia. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of Slovenian newspapers, which reported on the disaster and mobilized the population to contribute to relief efforts.
In its research, the thesis primarily relies on newspaper material from Slovenian newspapers (Delo and Ljubljanski dnevnik) and archival material from the holdings of the Archives of the Republic of Slovenia. These newspaper and archival sources provide insight into the actions of Slovenian authorities, organizations, and volunteers who helped Skopje in various ways during the first months after the earthquake. The main goal of the thesis is to provide a comprehensive account of Slovenian humanitarian aid and highlight the importance of solidarity, which played a crucial role in the reconstruction and was actively promoted by both the authorities and the press.
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