ACT Responds to 'Desperate' Situation in Romania
Devastating floods in Romania have left some counties in 'the most desperate' situation
Less than three months after severe flooding in its Banat region, Romania has again been hit by devastating floods that has left some counties in the most desperate situation, according to a global alliance of churches and related agencies.
Last month, torrential rains lashed Romania, swelling rivers, flooding homes and churning up roads. Thousands of homes were affected, hundreds destroyed and people lost their lives in the worst floods in 50 years.
The eastern part of the country was particularly hard hit, reported Geneva-based Action by Churches Together (ACT) International.
The week of July 11-16 brought extremely heavy rain seriously affecting 31 counties out of 42 and resulting in massive destruction, the alliance further reported.
According to ACT, the most seriously affected region is Moldavia, which is one of the poorest provinces in the country. The region was devastated by a number of extremely powerful flash floods caused by large mountain rivers and their tributaries overflowing due to the heavy rains.
The situation in the counties of Moldavia is the most desperate, the alliance reported. The mountain tributaries of two major rivers the Siret, with the tributaries Suceava, Moldova, Putna, Trotus, Buzau and Prut, with the tributaries Jijia, Sitna, Miletin, Bahlui have turned into raging torrents, devastating the villages on their way.
The consequences are tragic, with most of the victims from the poorest social categories: villagers, farmers, isolated riverside colonies, families with many children and gypsies, it added.
As of Friday, ACT member AIDRom plans to assist 500 of the most affected and vulnerable families in the county of Bacau one of the most severely hit counties with crisis phase items including food, water and non-food items, and 150 families with post crisis rehabilitation.