Romania: Floods - ACT: 17-Apr-01
Action by Churches Together (ACT)
Appeal - Romania
Assistance to Spring Flood Victims - EURO11
Appeal Target: US$ 72,106
Geneva, 17 April 2001
Eastern Europe is again suffering the consequences of its yearly spring
floods which this year are mostly affecting areas of Hungary, Ukraine and
Romania. The floods have swept over 11 districts in Romania, severely
affecting some 170 communities. Up to 5,000 people have fled their homes,
seeking shelter in 'safer' parts of the country.
The Ecumenical Association of Churches in Romania (AIDRom) is proposing
the following assistance for the most vulnerable flood affected in
Romania.
Food distribution
Shelter
Water & Sanitation
Being the only ACT member in Romania with an overall responsibility for
emergency response in the country, AIDRom is also looking at issues of
disaster preparedness at the country level, which is also addressed in
this appeal.
Project Completion Date: 31 December 2001
Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance
Requested
US$
Total Appeal Target(s) 72,106
Less: Pledges/Contr. Recd. 0
Balance Requested from ACT Network 72,106
Ms. Genevieve Jacques Thor-Arne Prois Rev. Rudolf Hinz
Director ACT Coordinator Director
WCC/Cluster on Relations LWF/World Service
REQUESTING ACT MEMBER
Ecumenical Association of Churches in Romania - AIDRom
ACT MEMBER & PARTNER INFORMATION
AIDRom is the Ecumenical Association of Churches in Romania, a
non-governmental body, whose primary aim is to ensure an ecumenical
co-operation between the member churches (Romanian Orthodox, Hungarian
Reformed, German Lutheran) on common issues of interest such as education,
mission, social and diaconal matters, ecology, training for transformation
- as well as financially assisting various ecumenical projects of these
churches, through the co-ordination of the Bishops Offices. Since 1991
AIDRom has, through its Emergency Unit, been actively involved in the
process of helping victims of various natural disasters (1991 earthquake
in Banath region, 1991 flood in Moldavia, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000
floods in Transylvania, Moldavia and Southern Romania).
ACT Member's Implementing Partners
Orthodox Bishops Office of Maramures
Orthodox Mitropolian Office of Suceava
Orthodox Archbishops Office of Cluj
Western Reformed Bishops Office "Kings Cross"
Reformed Bishops Office of Transylvania
Orthodox Bishop Office of Bistrita-Nasaud
Local Mayor Offices and Administrative Councils from the affected areas
DESCRIPTION of the EMERGENCY SITUATION
Background
Towards the end of January 2001, huge amounts of snow fell over the whole
country, particularly in Transylvania, a region dominated by hills,
mountains and rivers. After the problems caused by the heavy snowfalls,
when many towns, cities and villages were completely cut off and
paralyzed, the unexpected warm weather from early March again brought
tragedy to the Romanian people. Usually spring is a symbol of renewal and
joy, but this spring started with a crisis for north-west Romania. At the
time when the country urgently needed water for next year's crops, it came
in the form of devastating floods.
In the week of 3 March north-west Romania saw heavy snowfalls and rains
(from 100 to 200 l/m2). Starting 4 March, the temperature rose to 15
degrees Celsius, causing snow and ice to melt. This was the first sign of
a coming tragedy, which was concluded by massive rainfalls on 6 - 7 March.
By the morning of 8 March 10 counties of Romania were under water. As a
result the rivers in north western Romania rose above danger levels, the
worst being the Tisa River. Eleven Romanian counties were affected by the
floods: Maramures, Bihor, Bistrita-Nasaud, Suceava, Satu Mare, Harghita,
Cluj, Salaj, Hunedoara, Alba and Botosani.
The massive flooding caused widespread destruction and the evacuation of
nearly 4,000 people. The Romanian Government failed to respond to the
large-scale needs of the local population as it did not have any disaster
preparedness strategies for the high flood risk areas.
Current Situation
As it was the case in the previous years, the most affected people are the
small farmers and families dependant on their own agricultural production.
Damages
The following settlements/ infrastructures were affected:
172 villages and towns
3,616 houses
57.8 km dams
340 small bridges and footbridges
213.84 km national, local and village roads
147 km forest roads
6 km of electric distribution lines
0.5 km of railways
1 km of water supply systems
31 constructions (dams and levees)
12,431 hectares of agriculture land
3,723 persons evacuated
a damaged water supply station in Sighet town.
The value of the damages estimated so far is 637 billion lei (26.6 M USD).
There are no casualties reported to date.
The most affected regions are:
Maramures, the villages of Teceu, Remeti, Cimpulung, Sighet by the rivers
Tisa, Viseu, Iza, Tur, Somes. Bistrita-Nasaud, the villages of Uriu, Petru
Rares, Cuzdrioara by the river Somes, Unirea, Sarata, Prundu Bargaului on
the river Bistrita Satu Mare, the villages of Lunca Apei, Potau,
Martinesti, Berindan, Culciu on the river Somes Suceava, the villages of
Milisauti, Darmanesti, Bilca, Vicovu de Sus, Straja on the river Suceava,
Baia, Cornu luncii, Braiesti, Malini on the river Moldova Botosani,
villages of Sulita, Lunca, Stauceni on the river Sitna, Joldesti,
Fantanele, Dolhasca on the river Siret, Stiubieni, Vlasinesti, Stefanesti
on the river Baseu
Learning from past experiences, many people submitted applications to
different insurance companies in order to insure their real-estates and
assets, but they were systematically refused with an explanation that they
are unwilling to take a responsibility for areas with such a high risk of
flooding. Since the first floods in Romania local and regional authorities
have been appealing to the Government for financial support to build
strong and resistant dams and to reinforce the embankments where possible,
but the stage of promises has never been passed due the lack of funds in
the National Budget.
Location for Proposed Response
AIDRom will work in the most affected counties: Maramures,
Bistrita-Nasaud, Botosani, Suceava, Cluj, Harghita and Bihor. AIDRom's
implementing partners will provide information and specifics about the
most affected families and communities. As in previous years, beside
AIDRom's implementing partners, the local Mayor Offices will take part in
the aid action initiated and led by AIDRom.
GOAL & OBJECTIVES
AIDRom seeks to help the most vulnerable families whose houses and farms
were completely or partly washed away by the flood and who are now forced
to stay in temporary, provisional shelters. The help would consist of
construction material necessary to build a new shelter for each family,
which later on could be transformed into a regular family house
(especially for families whose houses suffered severe damage or were
destroyed).
The proposed assistance will also comprise the following elements:
food parcels comprising corn and wheat flour, rice, canned food (meat and
vegetable), sugar, vegetable oil, butter and cottage cheese.
seeds for re-plantation, especially potato and sugar beat for affected
farms
rehabilitation of vital infrastructure for the most affected villages,
especially drink-water wells, fountains and channels.
TARGETED BENEFICIARIES
Number and Type of Target Beneficiaries
117 rural farming families whose houses was completely or partially lost
in the flood
27 villages where the rehabilitation of the drink-water net (either
natural springs, fountains or artificial channel systems) is urgently
needed
4 villages where small, pedestrian bridges have been destroyed, separating
two sides of the community and limiting the access to civil buildings such
as schools, medical dispensaries, church, markets or others.
90 families from 8 villages will receive basic foods parcels
5 farms will be helped with seeds for re-plantation
Utilized Criteria in Beneficiary Selection
Those families whose houses were completely washed away and the number of
persons per family is the highest
Most vulnerable, poor communities where there are no other possibilities
for the rehabilitation of the drink-water sources
Where important areas of agriculture have been severely affected
Type of Proposed Assistance
Assistance will consist of distribution of construction materials, food
and drinking water.
PROPOSED EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE & IMPLEMENTATION
For 67 vulnerable families whose homes were destroyed all basic
commodities for house reconstruction will be provided directly (in order
to build a house corresponding to the minimum requirements): bricks,
cement, construction wood and sand, roof tiles, iron plates, reinforced
concrete, ferroconcrete.
For about 50 families whose houses were severely damaged materials for
repairs will be provided. The help would also consist of basic shelter
materials and some insulation and construction materials, bedding,
furniture and blankets
For those rural settlements where bridges (5) or water wells (27) need to
be repaired, funds will be allocated to the account of the local Mayor
Offices, which will take the necessary decisions as to use of these funds
for the most urgent rehabilitation. Funds will be used exclusively for
the acquisition of construction materials and channelling equipment
(pumps, pipes, wires, etc) for drinking-water.
In 5 villages where agricultural farms (potato and sugar beat lands) were
totally destroyed the communities urgently need funds for the
rehabilitation of the destroyed lands and procurement of seeds.
In 8 villages basic food parcels will be distributed to 90 families
As the major part of the rehabilitation cost/expenses will be undertaken
by AIDRom, other costs such as transportation and technical personnel
should be assured by the Mayor Offices.
Implementation Description
Private persons will be helped through the local churches, whose ministers
will provide the Bishop Offices with information about the most vulnerable
families needing assistance based on the selection criteria presented
above. The Bishop Offices will decide on the amount which will be
allocated to each family. After information has been received from all the
affected regions, the Bishop Offices will send their needs to AIDRom,
which will transfer, according to its possibilities (depending upon
funding received from ACT International) the requested amounts to the
Bishop Offices. In their turn the Bishop Offices will send the available
founds to the churches, with the specification of financial help to be
allocated to each family. According to the size of financial assistance,
each family will decide which are the most urgently needed construction
items.
The procurement of the necessary items will be co-ordinated by the local
church and its presbiterium, which will be responsible for locating the
closest procurement site (local or regional) as well as the cheapest means
of transportation. The (re)construction works will be carried out by each
family using its own physical resources, or by appealing for volunteer
help.
Community interest settlements (bridges, water springs, channels, wells)
will be rebuild or repaired by the local Mayor's office, which will apply
for financial assistance directly to AIDRom. After analysing the incoming
request, based on the gravity of the situation, AIDRom will decide the
amount to be allocated to each community.
The Mayor's Offices will be advised to find the most convenient
procurement places, for construction and technical equipment. The Mayor's
Offices will use its own resources concerning transportation and technical
staff for the necessary work and will also appeal for voluntary
participation from the population.
Transition from Emergency
Having visited several affected areas, the Prime Minister of Romania said
that major investments must be made in those areas to prevent further
losses in the future. President Iliescu decided to convene the Supreme
Council for the Defense of the Country. As far as investments are
concerned the secretary general of the Ministry of the Environment
estimated that about 15 thousand billion lei would be needed to support a
disaster preparedness strategy.
AIDRom is planning to organize a 5-day seminar for all implementing
partners having to deal with floods every year. The aim is to examine
lessons learned from past programs and to look into various aspects of
co-operation. Beside the participants, emergency and rapid response
specialists will be invited from within Romania and abroad.
ADMINISTRATION, FINANCE, MONITORING & REPORTING
Administration
Procurement and all related activities will be done according ACT
Guidelines. Procurement and distribution of all necessary construction
materials will be the responsibility of the local church presbiterium .
The Presbiterium will be supervised by the local ministers, who will send
regular updates to the Bishop Office. The Bishop's Offices will submit
interim reports to AIDRom.
The local mayors and administrative councils will be responsible for the
rehabilitation of settlements. Each local Mayor will report directly to
AIDRom Emergency Unit in Bucharest.
Finance Management and Controls
Finance controls will be carried out by the AIDRom Emergency Unit who will
report to ACT Co-ordinating Office according to ACT Reporting Guidelines.
Each Bishop's Office will appoint a counsellor from the Bishop's Council
to be in charge of accounting. The counsellor will send his reports and
remarks to AIDRom. Beneficiaries will be requested to sign a protocol
which will confirm the type and quantity of received materials and the
current value of them.
The Mayor's Offices will keep a record of all transactions in the official
accounts. Allocation of funds have to be authorised by the Mayor.
Monitoring Procedures will be assured by:
Bishop's Offices, who will appoint a counsellor-in charge to make on-site
project controls on the stage of implementation, use of founds, etc.
AIDRom's Emergency Unit will also make such kind of inquiries through its
co-ordinating officer.
In each village, beside the Mayor who will be in charge with the
supervision of the rehabilitation process, one member of the village
council (regularly the financial and economical advisor) will send
financial reports to AIDRom, which will be signed also by the official
bookkeeper of the Mayor Office.
IMPLEMENTATION TIMETABLE
Project Assessment: March 2001
Start Up: April 2001
Implementation: April * October 2001
Close Out: December 2001
COORDINATION
The coordination will be done by the ACT member of Romania - AIDRom -
through its Emergency Unit, together with the help of the Bishop Offices
participating in the aid program and the local Mayor Offices. AIDRom will
maintain close contact with the implementing partners and will request
program and financial reports on regular basis.
Coordination meetings will be held by AIDRom Emergency Unit once a month
on various affected sites, with the participation of Bishop counselors and
Mayors from the affected regions in order to review the progress of
reconstruction and rehabilitation process and to identify further needs.
BUDGET
EXPENDITURE
Description Type of No of Unit Cost Budget Budget
Unit Units ROL ROL US$
DIRECT ASSISTANCE
Pre Crisis Assistance
Emergency Response
Training Course Lumpsum 97,000,000 3,554
Well drilling Village 15 22,000,000 330,000,000 12,091
Sub-Total 427,000,000 15,645
Post Crisis Assistance
Shelter rehabilitation Family 50 5,000,000 250,000,000 9,160
Distribution of construction material Family 67 8,000,000 536,000,000 19,639
Water and sanitation Family 9 6,000,000 54,000,000 1,979
Food security Parcel 90 1,500,000 135,000,000 4,946
Agriculture - seed inputs Farm 5 10,000,000 50,000,000 1,832
Community infrastructure Bridge 4 25,000,000 100,000,000 3,664
Sub-Total 1,125,000,000 41,219
TOTAL DIRECT ASSISTANCE 1,552,000,000 56,864
CAPITAL EQUIPMENT
Water pumps Village 3 79,000,000 237,000,000 8,684
PERSONNEL, ADMINISTRATION, OPERATIONS & SUPPORT
Staff Salaries and Support:
Emergency program coordinator Month 6 14,000,000 84,000,000 3,078
Volunteer stipends Month 6 5,000,000 30,000,000 1,099
Per diems Day 20 2,000,000R 40,000,000 1,466
Office Operations:
Telephone and fax Lumpsum 7,000,000 256
Fuel Lumpsum 8,000,000 293
TOTAL PERSONNEL, ADMIN, OPS & SUPPORT 169,000,000 6,192
AUDIT AND EVALUATION Lumpsum 10,000,000 366
TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE 1,968,000,000 72,106
TOTAL REQUESTED FROM ACT NETWORK US$ 72,106
Exchange Rate
Budget : 1 USD = Romanian Lei 27,293
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Action by Churches Together (ACT) is a worldwide alliance of churches and
their related agencies, meeting human need through co-ordinated emergency
response. The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of
Churches (WCC) and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ecumenical Centre Phone: ++41-22-791.60.33
150, route de Ferney Fax: ++41-22-791.65.06
P.O. Box 2100 E-Mail: act@wcc-coe.org
1211 Geneva 2 Telex: 415 730 OIK CH
Switzerland http://www.act-intl.org
distributed by
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Center for International Disaster Information
Volunteers in Technical Assistance
web: www.cidi.org
listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
comments/suggestions/requests to incident@cidi.org