After two weeks of chaos caused by flooding in north and northeast Romania, authorities are again counting the cost to citizens and assuring the affected that they will receive help to rebuild their lives.

In all seven affected counties (Iasi, Neamt, Maramures, Suceava, Botosani, Bistrita- Nasau, Neamt), 578 houses have been destroyed, some 111 kilometres of national roads and 16 bridges were affected and approximately 20,000 hectares of land have been affected with serious crop damage.

In Iasi County, where World Vision Romania operates an Area Development Program, more than 1,500 people have been affected by floodwaters from the Prut and Siret Rivers with some 227 houses damaged or destroyed.

The most affected communities here were Rachiteni and Lespezi communes and Targu Frumos city - with 55 houses destroyed or in danger of collapsing. The government is committing to rebuild 90 homes in Iasi, valued at some US$265,000, prioritising those for the elderly and will offer construction material for more able-bodied families.

'We were able to handle the situation well. Now that the waters are gone we are working closely with the fire department to get all the water out of people's homes and yards. We need to wait a while longer before we start cleaning the wells but the people have access to potable water in the village. We also have enough reserves of bottle water. Our biggest problem right now is helping those who lost their houses or have are in danger of losing them. But we are hopeful that with the help of the government and that of private donors, we will be able to do this. We already have a commitment from a private company to rebuild 12 houses. I think this is a very good sign', said a hopeful Mr. Martonca, mayor of Rachiteni village.

Of the 1,500 people affected World Vision identified more than 100 elderly people, 65 children from very poor families and 10 people with disabilities. None of World Vision's sponsored children were affected by the floods.

World Vision donated food items including oil, sugar, rice, dehydrated soup and snacks for children, as well as utensils, linoleum, and hygiene products to almost 100 people evacuated from Hermeziu and Vladomira communes and who found tented shelter at a church in Trifesti commune.

Now that these people have returned to their homes, funds will be re-directed towards other affected communities in the Moldova area.

In Bacau County, 852 homes were flooded and 333 of them have already collapsed while 92 of them are in danger of collapsing. The most affected community was Saucesti commune where 764 homes were affected - 327 of them destroyed and 74 in danger of collapsing.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation in Golaiesti, Ungheni, Tutora, Prisacani, Grozesti and Gorban communities in the Prut valley and work on reinforcing existing dams in the area.

World Vision will also continue to monitor and evaluate how it can best support authorities to meet the needs of the affected.

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