USAID Provides $2.5 Million to Romania in Continuing Flood Relief
On August 11, 2005, U.S. Embassy Charge D’Affaires Mark Taplin traveled to the village of Crampoia to meet Mayor Ilie Ciobanu as part of a flood relief program implemented by USAID.
“Imagine what it’s like to wake up at midnight with water rushing around your bed,” villager Marioara Dragici told the delegation from the U.S. Embassy. “It’s a nightmare that hasn’t yet stopped for us. You were the first to extend a hand, and we thank you.”
Less than three months after devastating floods killed two Romanians and left thousands homeless, a second wave of flooding led to a separate disaster declaration in Romania. Thirty-four out of Romania’s forty-one counties have been affected since April, 2005. OFDA provided an immediate $50,000 for relief supplies after both the late April and July floods. The cumulative damage from the April and June/July floods is estimated at $1.422 billion. The combined U.S. response now totals USD $2.5 million, which consists of approximately $600,000 from OFDA, for implementation by World Vision; 1 million SEED; $500,000 re-directed USAID/Romania funds to existing partners; and $500,000 including DOD commodities and transport, and other agency assistance.
Crampoia, a small village of approximately 3,800 residents located in southern Romania, was seriously affected by the July flooding. Around 400 houses were flooded, of which 300 were greatly damaged and 60 were totally destroyed. The American response in Crampoia includes emergency supplies, such as mattresses, beds, rubber boots, and other goods, for approximately 250 people.
“Romania and the United States are partners and friends,” Mr. Taplin said to those gathered, “and it’s an honor to support you. I’m especially impressed by the way you rallied as a community and so quickly began to work together toward reconstruction.”
Since April, USG assistance to flood victims has included emergency supplies such as food, personal hygiene kits, portable stoves, and water purification kits, as well as longer-term projects including grants and loans for repairing/rebuilding homes, schools, bridges, etc; direct assistance to farmers and small businesses; public information campaigns to prevent flood-related health emergencies; and, other health, social, and economic projects.
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| Villagers from Crampoia, Romania, watch as U.S. Embassy Romania Charge D’Affaires Mark Taplin helps distribute USAID-funded supplies in the aftermath of the worst local flooding in 500 years |
Villagers from Crampoia, Romania, watch as U.S. Embassy Romania Charge D’Affaires Mark Taplin helps distribute USAID-funded supplies in the aftermath of the worst local flooding in 500 years |
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| Villagers from Crampoia, Romania, watch as U.S. Embassy Romania Charge D’Affaires Mark Taplin helps distribute USAID-funded supplies in the aftermath of the worst local flooding in 500 years |
Recent USAID observation mission found extensive flood damage in Romania’s Moldova region |
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