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Alert
Romania – No. 20/2010
FLOODS IN NORTH EASTERN AND EASTERN ROMANIAN MOLDOVA REGION
Geneva, 6 July 2010
1. Brief description of the emergency
Continuous torrential rains swept Romania at the end of June, swelling rivers, flooding homes and churning up roads. Between June 27 and July 4, extremely heavy rain falls (from 80 to 140 litre/m2), caused massive damages in 14 counties, hitting particularly hard the northeastern and eastern part of the country, Moldova province. The main rivers of northern and eastern Romania – Siret, Prut, Suceava, Moldova – dramatically overflowed. Local floods, lasting up to a day also occurred in other regions. It is expected that for 7-10 days, the Danube River level will be above the record level reached in 2006.
Thousands of villagers have fled their homes as flood waters from the overflowing rivers spread across northern and eastern Romania. People are practically fleeing flooded areas in makeshift boats, horse carriages and cars. Some scrambled up trees to get away from the rising waters. They had to leave everything at home, escaping with the clothes they were wearing and what they could save in some plastic handbags. Thousands more might have to leave their dwellings between July 5 and 8 if flooding continues. Soldiers and civil defense workers have scrambled to reinforce dykes and build sandbag barriers on both sides of the rivers. Volunteers are tired trying to maintain the high demands day after day. In some parts the water has soaked the dams and embankments and it is impossible to use heavy equipment such as bulldozers to fight the water. Hardest hit regions are the counties of Suceava and Botosani, which have the highest number of evacuees and flooded villages.
The river Olt has flooded several villages. Thousands of people are accommodated in school buildings, monasteries, hospitals, army tents, sport facilities. Around 3000 refused to leave their home for fear of looters, but eventually were evacuated when they realized that their lives were in great danger. Alert 20/2010 – Romania Floods 2
2. Impact
The evaluation of the damage caused at country level constantly changes. However, based on the latest information: 14 counties are affected, including Suceava, Botosani, Neamt, Iasi, Bacau, Galati, Covasna 12,000 people were evacuated in the peak phase of flood (June 30 – July 3) 24 people have died 4772 houses flooded (many falling apart after walls were soaked) 246 residences destroyed 6.7 million tonnes of crops destroyed 1928 hectares of forest and grazing land flooded 424 water wells contaminated 5km of national roads washed away 37km of county roads destroyed 91km of village roads destroyed
Across the region, thousands of emergency workers and volunteers have been deployed round the clock to reinforce defenses and battle the churning waters, using sandbags, dykes and dams along the main rivers of north-eastern Romania.
There is a risk of water-borne diseases. Local health authorities fear an epidemic that could easily spread after the waters have receded. Water is infested by rotten animal carcasses and mosquitoes breeding in sewage.
Officials say water levels will remain high until July 7 and 8 but with more water flowing in from the Ukraine border and with more rain from an upcoming cyclone forecast this week, experts warn of further flooding, fearing more villages will be put on standby for evacuation if the waters will continue to rise. Landslides have also occurred and more are expected in the Eastern Carpathian mountain regions affected by the floods.
Access to the most affected regions is very difficult at the moment, but it is expected that as soon as this is possible, a nationally coordinated major action of crisis phase assistance is following to be implemented in a vast area.
3. National and international response
Government and state institutions have responded relatively well but are unable to meet all needs. The Government has started distributing drinking water, food and non-food supplies from the national reserves for evacuees. People from evacuation camps are receiving blankets, mattresses, canned foods, bread, mineral water, sugar, oil, flour, rain coats, and lamp oil. Army vehicles and helicopters are regularly delivering supplies to isolated communities. 700 modular buildings are ready to be taken out to accommodate evacuated people whose homes were destroyed.
The Government has appealed for NGOs and volunteers to help evacuated people and those returning home to the worst affected regions where access is still very difficult. Local authorities are working to re-establish road access to all areas to create conditions for humanitarian aid deliveries.
Alert 20/2010 – Romania Floods 3
Romania will seek aid from the European Union's community budget for humanitarian aid. Flood damages are estimated to be at least 0.6% of the country's projected gross domestic product for 2010. Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc said on July 3 that the financial aid request for the European Union’s Solidarity Fund is currently being drawn up. Romania, Europe's second-poorest country, whose economy contracted more than 7 percent last year, is still stuck in recession and spending cuts and tax increases could further reduce growth. The Government now predicts a drop of 1% to 2% in GDP this year
4. ACT Alliance response
ACT member AIDROM Emergency Unit is on stand by with a team of four to reach affected areas as soon as permitted by the National Emergency Authorities. AIDRom is ready to deploy within the next days to the worst-hit counties of Suceava, Botosani, Iasi, Bacau in Moldova region, as well as in Covasna county, Central Romania, with the dual purpose of carrying out a damage survey and distributing water pumps for well cleaning, power generators, sleeping bags and home dehumidifying equipment.
5. Planned activities
AIDROM plans to carry out a needs assessment for a crisis phase intervention through ACT Rapid Response Mechanism. Probably the greatest needs at these moments are non perishable food parcels and drinking water, followed by hygiene items and clothing for displaced people and returnees. AIDROM wishes to pack 500 relief food parcels, with a standard content of non perishable food and with 10 liters of mineral water, as well as 500 clothing parcels for immediate delivery and distribution within a week to communities most in need, based on surveys by AIDROM, Government, churches, Red Cross and NGOs. AIDROM is in continuous contact and coordination with the social departments of the Northern Romanian Orthodox Archbishop Offices of Iasi and of Suceava and Radauti, as well as the Reformed Bishops’ Office of Transylvania.
Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to Jessie Kgoroeadira, ACT Chief Finance Officer ([email protected] ).
Thank you for your attention.
For further information please contact: ACT Deputy General Secretary, Jill Hawkey (phone +41 22 791 6069) or ACT Regional Program Officer, Michael Zschiegner, (phone +41 22 791 6420 or mobile phone +41 79 608 8133)