ACT appeal EUBU61 - Assistance to Flood-affected
Geneva, June 30, 2006
Information provided by Pokrov Foundation (application for ACT membership pending acceptance)
General situation
The weather in Bulgaria has been stable for the past several weeks. Temperatures have been high, which has helped to dry the land up. Some people are still able to grow their crops. Some will plant crops that are appropriate for the season again soon, and some will wait for the autumn to plant again. Most of the seasonal crops were lost in the floods, however.
The warm and clear weather provides a good opportunity for starting reconstruction to damaged buildings. According to forecasts, the weather will be favorable in July and August and probably into September as well.
However, people are still in a very bad situation in some regions - namely Dunavci, Orjahovo and Gorni Vadin, which were affected by landslides. People in these regions are living in trailer homes provided by the government. There is still a risk of landslides, so people have not been allowed to return to their homes.
The state and local authorities have stopped providing relief for flood-affected people. The local municipalities have stated that the only priority now is repairing public facilities. In last year's floods, the government, through the local authorities, provided funds to repair houses. This year, no money will be given, which has left many people in a state of despair. Many do not have insurance to pay for repairs to their damaged homes.
Pokrov Foundation's activities
From May 8 to 12, the first contacts were made with the local authorities and local church representatives (both Orthodox and Muslim) in the areas where Pokrov Foundation is working. That week Pokrov Foundation received approval from each local metropolitan (church leader) to carry out the emergency work. The following week (May 15-20), field research was carried out - meetings with new partners at each location, collecting data on each family's damage, and preparing lists. Between May 31 and June 2, the food and cleaning supplies were distributed. On June 15 and 16, beds, mattresses, sheets and blankets were distributed. During these two weeks, houses were cleaned, which included removing mould resulting from the flood waters.
Pokrov Foundation worked with local and government authorities. Information for specific families was sometimes exchanged so assistance from the government or other NGOs was not duplicated. There was, however, a duplication in the distribution of cleaning supplies in Nikopol, but the damage was so widespread there that people needed more supplies to overcome the mould and dirt.
Pokrov Foundation was able to garner the participation of more church leaders in its response to this year's flooding than during last year's flood response. At the distribution of parcels in Dunavci town, a metropolitan (Vidin metropolitan Dometian) offered a blessing to the people and the distribution. In Nikopol town, the local priest and the vicar of Nikopol spiritual region (part of a diocese) were present at the distribution.
396 families received parcels of food and/or cleaning and hygiene materials. A total of 390 parcels of food and 520 parcels of hygiene and cleaning materials were distributed. 108 beds with mattresses, blankets and sheets were distributed.
During the distributions, data was also collected on the need for reconstruction materials. Pokrov Foundation is currently updating its lists for four towns and villages and is preparing lists for two more.
Pokrov Foundation negotiated free transportation with the firm where beds were purchased. The funds saved on this expense were used to purchase additional parcels of food and hygiene and cleaning materials.
For further information, please contact:
ACT Communications Officer Callie Long (mobile/cell phone +41 79 358 3171)
ACT Information Officer Stephen Padre (mobile/cell phone +41 79 681 1868)
ACT Web site www.act-intl.org