Flood affected families struggling with cold six months on
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People from Rast community are still building their new
homes
World Vision MEERO, http://meero.worldvision.org
World Vision MEERO, http://meero.worldvision.org
More than 70 per cent of the population affected by this year's floods in Rast, Dolj County (South Eastern Romania) will be spending Christmas in temporary,
insulated structures, despite consistent efforts being made over the past six months by both the Romanian Government and NGOs.
The scale of the disaster that destroyed infrastructure, and resulted in the relocation of a whole community is clearly showing in the time it is taking to reconstruct infrastructure, sewerage systems, electricity networks and homes.
An assessment by World Vision staff working in the area shows that it is hard to estimate the number of houses that will be finalised by the time of the first snowfall. 'We estimate that approximately 200 families will need to live in module type houses. This will be hard, as these will need to be connected to the electricity system to be heated,' said Vasilica Cirlugea, a member of the World Vision relief team.
'We are worried that as cold weather is approaching, displaced people in Rast will be in need of heating and appropriate clothing," explained Eugen Borlea, Relief Manager for World Vision Romania.
'World Vision will deliver two containers with warm clothing and shoes for flood affected people in Rast and Spantov, through the generous support received from World Vision US.
People will be forced to live in the 520 module type houses donated by the Romanian Government, or with their relatives and friends.
Only 200 new houses from 847 promised by local governmental authorities and other NGOs are almost finished.
So far, the Romanian Government has offered construction materials consisting of cement, bricks, wood, sheet iron and iron fittings. The idea is for people to be able to build one or two room houses.
'As people's savings, if any, went on construction materials, we thought it is best that we cover people's basic hygienic needs and commodities," said Cirlugea.
People still urgently need more construction materials, accessories for lighting, food, clothes and shoes for the cold season.
Health also remains a concern. Elderly people are suffering from heart and respiratory diseases, thyroid gland ailments and hepatitis.
World Vision has supported more than 500 affected families from Rast community with various construction materials and construction tools, gas stoves and gas cylinders, and hygienic kits consisting of soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste, disinfectant, and detergent. The donations came from World Vision Australia, Switzerland, Holland, Canada, USA and USDAID.
So far, the value of this support for Rast community amounts to $US100,000.
At the end of April 2006, nearly 4,000 people had to be evacuated from Rast community, Dolj County due to flooding.
World Vision Romania was the first NGO to offer support to flood affected people with food, water, clothing and hygienic kits to address their short term needs. Psychologists came to help and counsel flood affected children recover from the trauma caused by floods
The scale of the disaster that destroyed infrastructure, and resulted in the relocation of a whole community is clearly showing in the time it is taking to reconstruct infrastructure, sewerage systems, electricity networks and homes.
An assessment by World Vision staff working in the area shows that it is hard to estimate the number of houses that will be finalised by the time of the first snowfall. 'We estimate that approximately 200 families will need to live in module type houses. This will be hard, as these will need to be connected to the electricity system to be heated,' said Vasilica Cirlugea, a member of the World Vision relief team.
'We are worried that as cold weather is approaching, displaced people in Rast will be in need of heating and appropriate clothing," explained Eugen Borlea, Relief Manager for World Vision Romania.
'World Vision will deliver two containers with warm clothing and shoes for flood affected people in Rast and Spantov, through the generous support received from World Vision US.
People will be forced to live in the 520 module type houses donated by the Romanian Government, or with their relatives and friends.
Only 200 new houses from 847 promised by local governmental authorities and other NGOs are almost finished.
So far, the Romanian Government has offered construction materials consisting of cement, bricks, wood, sheet iron and iron fittings. The idea is for people to be able to build one or two room houses.
'As people's savings, if any, went on construction materials, we thought it is best that we cover people's basic hygienic needs and commodities," said Cirlugea.
People still urgently need more construction materials, accessories for lighting, food, clothes and shoes for the cold season.
Health also remains a concern. Elderly people are suffering from heart and respiratory diseases, thyroid gland ailments and hepatitis.
World Vision has supported more than 500 affected families from Rast community with various construction materials and construction tools, gas stoves and gas cylinders, and hygienic kits consisting of soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste, disinfectant, and detergent. The donations came from World Vision Australia, Switzerland, Holland, Canada, USA and USDAID.
So far, the value of this support for Rast community amounts to $US100,000.
At the end of April 2006, nearly 4,000 people had to be evacuated from Rast community, Dolj County due to flooding.
World Vision Romania was the first NGO to offer support to flood affected people with food, water, clothing and hygienic kits to address their short term needs. Psychologists came to help and counsel flood affected children recover from the trauma caused by floods
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