Ref: OCHAGVA - 98/0231
1. The Director General of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has addressed an official request for assistance to the United Nations following the severe floods which affected the country in June 1998.

Background

2. From 8-22 June nearly two-thirds of Romania's 41 districts were hit with torrential rain causing widespread flooding and landslides. Official reports indicate that, as of 22 June, 21 persons died, 1,000 people had to be evacuated, 1,886 houses were destroyed, 11,133 household annexes damaged. Over 103,000 hectares of land are ruined. Also destroyed were 586 km of village and district roads, 5 km of national roads, 279 bridges, 35 hydrotechnical buildings, and telephone and gas networks were cut. Some 600 animals are reported lost and 200 sources of drinking water are damaged/polluted.

3. The total number of affected people in critical conditions is estimated at 12,000. It is expected that the need for long term rehabilitation assistance will continue until the end of 1998. Although Romania has been plagued by flooding annually in recent years, the affected regions this year are limited to the northwest, central and northeast districts.

Emergency Assistance

4. The Prime Minister of Romania has authorized emergency aid valued at USD 235,000 and has earmarked some USD 3,000,000 to rebuild the damaged infrastructure. The National Red Cross has issued a national appeal and received a generous response by donations of clothing and money.

5. A list of required assistance is being finalized by the Government in Bucharest and is expected to include pharmaceutical products, vaccines, boats, electric generators, water filters, water pumps, food, and equipment such as tents and cutting and drilling machines for concrete cement.

6. The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as a consequence of the flooding, has also requested assistance through the NATO/PfP Euro-Atlantic Disaster Relief Coordination Centre (EADRCC) in Brussels .

7. The following contributions have been reported to OCHA-Geneva:

• UNDP, USD 50,000 for emergency assistance.
• USA, bilateral contribution of USD 25,000.

8. OCHA-Geneva is coordinating closely with the UN Resident Coordinator in Bucharest and is prepared to serve as a channel for cash contributions, to be used during the immediate relief phase, in coordination/consultation with relevant organizations of the United Nations system. OCHA provides donors with written confirmation and pertinent details concerning the utilization of the funds contributed. Donors wishing to channel their contributions through OCHA should transfer funds to OCHA Account No. Co.590.160.1 at the Swiss Bank Corporation, Case Postale 2770, CH 1211, Geneva 2, Switzerland, with reference: Romania-Floods.

9. For coordination purposes, donors are requested to inform OCHA-Geneva, as indicated below, of relief missions, pledges or contribution and their corresponding values by item.

Telephone Number: +41-22-917-1234
In case of Emergency only: +41-22-917-2010
Desk Officer: Mr. S. Piazzi, Direct Tel. + 41-22-917-3518
Telex: 414242 OCHA CH
Fax: +41-22-917-0023
E-mail: Info@dha.unicc.org