Geneva, 10 October 2007

Dear Colleagues,

Torrential rains and strong winds swept the Eastern part of Romania from September 5 - 7, affecting in particular the counties of Galati, Vrancea, Bacau and Vaslui in the Moldavia province. Nine people lost their lives to the floods, while 13,800 houses were flooded, resulting in the evacuation of 4,116 people and the complete destruction of 900 houses. Water wells were polluted, bridges destroyed and national and county roads damaged. Official reports estimate that the total damage amounts to $300 million US.