OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Western Romania Floods
1 June 2005


This situation report is based on ongoing consultations and 
communications between OCHA and the UN Resident Coordinators Office in 
Romania since the beginning of the floods. The information is received 
from the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in Romania under the framework 
of the DMT. The report aims at recapitulating and consolidating the 
information.

Situation

1. During the first two weeks of May, floods struck the western region 
of Romania, mainly affecting 3 counties: Arad, Caras-Severin and Timis 
(see below for more detailed information). About 4400 houses have been 
flooded and damaged, with 650 houses completely destroyed. The total 
number of outbuildings (mainly stables) flooded is around 5000. 113,000 
ha of land for agriculture has been inundated and the estimated amount 
of water covering the region is 200 million cubic metres.

2. 3400 people have been evacuated with the majority of people housed in 
different shelters (ranging from tents to schools gyms). 47 public 
buildings (churches, health clinics, town halls) were also flooded.

3. The floods are considered to be the worst in the last 50 years. 
Moreover, even though this report mainly deals with the western parts, 
new floods are expected this week in other parts of the country and 32 
of Romania's 41 counties have been placed under alert.

4. Roads and railroads have also been flooded, especially near the 
border with Serbia-Montenegro.

Situation in Arad County

5. In the county of Arad 56 people have been evacuated, 251 houses and 
272 outbuildings have been flooded. 11,988 ha of agricultural land have 
also been covered by water. 18 localities have been affected by the 
flooding.

Situation in Caras-Severin County

6. 59 persons have been evacuated, 33 houses destroyed and 1109 houses 
damaged. 1493 outbuildings have been partially damaged. 9503 ha of 
agricultural land had been flooded and 27 public buildings affected. 58 
localities have been affected by the flooding.

Situation in Timis County

7. Some 3400 people have been evacuated, some by helicopter, from their 
homes in seven localities in the Timis County. 2359 houses have been 
flooded and 619 destroyed, while 3213 stables and other outbuildings 
have been damaged. The number of completely destroyed houses is likely 
to rise, because in many cases the flooding has caused structural 
weakening. 92,000 ha of agricultural land have been flooded and 20 
public buildings have also been damaged. 62 localities have been 
affected by the flooding.

National response

8. The Ministerial Committee for Emergency Situations headed by the 
Ministry of Environment and Waters is in charge of coordinating relief 
efforts. Different administrative structures are involved, including the 
military. The Government has decided to allocate ROL 10 billion 
(approximately 350,000 USD) as emergency support to the affected areas, 
with more assistance planned for reconstruction in the coming period. 
Private donations for people suffering from floods amount to more than 
ROL 30 billion so far, alongside in-kind donations of clothing, 
footwear, food and construction materials. The inter-ministerial 
committee headed by the Ministry of Environment has responded in 
providing assistance to the affected population in the flood-stricken 
areas. The General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, a military 
structure under Ministry of Administration and Interior, headed by gr. 
Vladimir Secara is also actively involved.

UN Response

9. According to the DMT (Disaster Management Team) assessment, the 
Government of Romania has done well in responding to the situation. The 
President and Prime Minister have visited the affected regions and the 
situation currently seems to be under control. Vaccines have been given 
to people and the supply of in-kind support like food and vaccines 
exceeds demand.

10. The DMT has been undertaking needs assessment, assistance efforts 
and information sharing actions. The UN Resident Coordinator, supported 
by staff of his office and various sectoral and operational working 
groups, leads the DMT. Its main function is to ensure adequate and 
effective international assistance to complement the national response. 
The Disaster Management Team took early action, when the Ministry of 
Health approached WHO regarding guidelines and procedures for emergency 
situations from a health perspective. The guidelines containing 
post-flood situation measures like vaccines against communicable 
diseases (especially anti-hepatitis A and measles), access to safe 
drinking water, strengthening of surveillance of communicable diseases 
(specially among children) was provided within 2 hours.

International Assistance

11. The Government has expressed gratitude for the assistance given and 
welcomes any offer of additional assistance. According to NATO and the 
European Commission Civil Protection Co-operation Mechanism the 
following countries has provided assistance to Romania: Austria, Czech 
Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Luxembourg, Spain, 
Sweden, Switzerland, United States of America, Malta, Moldova. The 
International Federation of the Red Cross provided assistance and has 
allocated an emergency grant of 134,590 USD. BCPR has granted emergency 
assistance of 100,000 USD

12. The Government's and local authorities' efforts to evacuate people 
and their belongings and livestock have been hampered by a significant 
shortage of pneumatic motorised boats, adapted for use in such 
situations. Their availability would greatly facilitate emergency 
interventions in the present situation and in any future floods 
occurrence, hence contributing to minimize the loss of lives and reduce 
material damage from floods. The Government of Romania has therefore 
through the UN/UNDP requested funding and operational support in 
procuring pneumatic motorboats and life jackets. OCHA has agreed to 
provide the Government of Romania with an Emergency Grant of 30,000 USD 
to be channelled through the UNDP in Romania.

13. This Situation Report and information on ongoing emergencies is also 
available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int.

Tel. +41-22-917 1234
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
   Mr. Ricardo Mena
     Direct Tel. +41-22-917 1455
     E-mail: menar@un.org
   Ms. Charlotta Benedek
     Direct Tel. +41-22-917 1205
     E-mail: benedek@un.org

Press contact:
   GVA - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, Direct Tel. +41-22-917 2653
   NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, Direct Tel. +1-917-892 1669

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