September 3, 2004

U.S. PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO ROMANIAN FLOOD VICTIMS

U.S. Ambassador to Romania, J.D. Crouch II, today authorized the allocation of $50,000 in disaster assistance for the flood victims in the counties in Romania most affected during the recent wind and rainstorms. The funds allocated are the maximum allowed under the U.S. Government's guidelines for immediate emergency assistance.

The money will be used to purchase and distribute emergency supplies such as blankets, water, temporary shelter, stoves, plastic tanks, clothing, hygiene kits and personal hygiene items. The assistance will be implemented by the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) Romania, which will coordinate the assistance with the local authorities and the Romanian Orthodox Church that are already providing assistance.

The Ministry of Waters and Environment Protection reports that floods washed away 35 houses in one village and seriously damaged more than 2,320 houses in 69 other communities while destroying about 8,377 hectares of crops. Also 91 bridges were destroyed and 75 km. of national and county roads became inaccessible. Many areas were left with no potable water and electricity. Six people were killed and two severely injured, with numerous other casualties reported so far.

Ambassador Crouch underlined that this assistance continues USG assistance to Romania in the humanitarian and emergency response fields. USG's prime goal is to assist Romania over the longer term, to prevent and alleviate the negative impact of various water natural or accidental disasters. The United States has already provided more than $ 4 million for programs that are actively assisting Romania to build its National Crisis Management System. These programs are providing training and data processing and transmission equipment for the national weather and hydrological monitoring systems. These modern systems will result in a national information system for real-time decision-making during floods, droughts, and accidental spills of hazardous materials.

USG assistance also helped build the National Disaster Training Center recently opened in Ciolpani, Ilfov, which will house Ministry of Internal Affairs - Civil Defense Application School - personnel responsible for coordinating and leading rescue missions in civil defense urgencies or disasters, such as the recent flooding. This center was provided through the ongoing support from the Office of Defense Cooperation of the United States Embassy to the Romanian people aims to help reduce human and economic suffering by enhancing Romania's capabilities to respond to disaster and crisis scenarios.

IOCC is a worldwide charity that manages disaster assistance and development programs. IOCC opened its office in Romania in April 2000. Besides programs like this flood relief, IOCC is also involved in programs for institutionalized children and services for the elderly and the disabled.