Heavy snowfall and extremely cold weather conditions has severely affected 60,000 people in Romania, claiming the lives of 74 people.
The heavy snowfall and severe conditions began on January 22nd,caused by the influence of polar air masses coming from Siberian region seriously affecting the south/south-east of Romania. The number of homeless people and those with severe hypothermia, which required emergency medical services has now exceeded 1,000.
Families are generally the most vulnerable: rural families without stable incomes, the elderly, families with many children or people with disabilities.
Working in partnership with other organisations Habitat Romania is directly involved in efforts to eliminate the disaster consequences of the harsh weather and heavy snowfall. A team of volunteers and staff have been reaching out to communities most affected such as Vintileasca in Vrancea County, where over 1,200 families were isolated from more than a week.
Michael Grigorean Manager of Habitat’ s Disaster Response Programme in Romania explains that Habitat aims to help 1,200 families.
“We started a campaign with three phases of intervention, all designed to complement existing efforts. Initially we distributed emergency shelter kits helping those most in need repair their homes and help protect themselves. We are now focusing on the immediate need for food and then we will look at longer term prevention.”
Habitat’s long term support of families will continue through detailed evaluations and technical assistance focusing on prevention and rebuilding lives after disaster strikes.
Disasters cause losses that exceed the community’s ability to cope without help and people with low incomes and substandard housing, those Habitat seeks to serve, are among the most vulnerable.
Habitat has been playing a significant role in the development of shelter and housing solutions in the wake of disasters and complex humanitarian emergencies.
More than 50,000 families worldwide have been served by Habitat’s disaster recovery programmes. Recovery initiatives include transitional shelter, new housing, repairs and reconstruction and retro-fitting to enhance resistance to hazards. Habitat’s response model has been designed to adapt to disasters of all magnitudes and in locations across the globe.
If you would like to support Habitat's disaster response efforts, helping families rebuild their lives after diaster strikes please donate here>