|TOP|The global alliance Action by Churches Together (ACT) International continues to support communities in the regions of Romania most severely hit by April’s floods.

As the floods fade from the media’s attention, ACT International member AIDRom warns that the situation still remains critical and the needs urgent, particularly in Dolj and Calarasi counties, the worst affected out of the 12 counties in southern Romania hit by the floods.

The ACT Coordinating Office issued an appeal earlier in the week to gather funds to support AIDRom’s flood response, which swung into action immediately after the waters of the Danube River swelled across Romania, the worst hit out of four affected countries.

Just last week, preparations were well under way in AIDRom’s Emergency Unit to distribute 250 food and water parcels and 250 personal hygiene kits throughout the affected communities of Calarasi County in eastern Romania.

|AD|The latest shipment augments the 500 food and water packages already purchased and shipped out to the flood-affected communities with the US$50,000 in ACT Rapid Response Funds sent at the end of April.

AIDRom is responding to the needs of the affected communities in partnership with the Orthodox Archbishop of Craiova in Dolj County and the Orthodox Bishop of Calarasi and Slobozia in Calarasi County.

The Romanian charity added that the response is being implemented at the grassroots level by local parish ministers and deans in the region.

The Orthodox Bishop of Calarasi already provided AIDRom with key local insights in helping to determine the distribution locations and schedule.

According to AIDRom, people in the camps have caught severe colds due to the moisture in the tents and the rainy weather, while skin and digestive disorders are spreading.

The charity reported that living conditions are unbearable as the garbage continues to pile up and the flood victims remain in the camps without proper and clean toilets, tap water outlets, and washing and bathing facilities.

And although the government has urged people not to return to their homes because of the remaining danger, AIDRom reports that people are keen to get back to their homes.

Evacuated families in nine counties have been provided with grants from the government as well as material aid, including beds, blankets, tents, raincoats and rubber boots.

AIDRom is also completing preparations for the reconstruction of housing to follow the immediate crisis phase. Assistance from the charity will go to support those returnees who fall outside the government’s housing-assistance programme.

Appeals are also going out from the ACT Coordinating Office this week to gather the funds to enable ACT members in Serbia and Bulgaria to implement flood responses to the victims in those countries.