Habitat for Humanity responds to snow storms in Romania
BRATISLAVA/BUCHAREST (February 17, 2012) – Over the last three weeks, a massive cold wave from Russia affected the entire region of Central and Eastern Europe. Parts of Ukraine, Slovakia and Romania recorded the lowest temperatures. At the same time, massive snowfalls hit south-eastern areas of Romania.
These extreme weather conditions affected around 60,000 people in Romania alone. Hundreds of villages are completely isolated and experience shortages of food, electricity and heating devices. Almost 1,000 homeless people suffer from severe hypothermia and need emergency medical services.
The most affected are families in remote rural areas. These are people on low income, the elderly, families with children, and people with disabilities. At the moment, it is hard to estimate house damages as the snow is still very dense and the cold snap is not over yet. At the same time, severe problems might appear later once the snow start melting. There is a high risk of floods.
Habitat for Humanity decided to respond by helping families in remote villages. The work is focused on Vrance County, where around 40,000 people from 50 villages have been completely isolated for more than a week. In Buzau County over 23,000 people from 20 villages are isolated.
Habitat Romania is helping people uncover houses from the snow and at the same time take measures to prevent future house damages. It is distributing Emergency Shelter Kits, which contain warm blankets, flashlights, candles, as well as vitamins and first aid medicine. At the same time, families are being equipped with Prevention Kits, which contain essential construction materials and tools that will enable them to maintain homes after the snow is gone.
You can support Habitat response efforts in Romania through:
- Donation of money or materials
- Logistical support
- Voluntary work
We accept secure online donations in Euros.
For more details about this campaign, please visit: www.habitat.ro.
About Habitat for Humanity Romania Habitat for Humanity International is a global Christian nongovernmental housing organization which brings together people of all races, nationalities and religions to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1976, Habitat has served more than 500,000 families, by building and improving homes, by advocating for fair and just housing policies and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. In Romania, Habitat for Humanity has supported more than 2,660 families since 1996, running programs through its affiliates from Beius, Cluj, Comanesti, Craiova, Pitesti, Ploiesti and Radauti. Find out more at www.habitat.ro.