October 26, 2005
| USG IN ROMANIA CONTINUES DISASTER RELIEF ACTIVITIES |
The U.S. Embassy in Bucharest has donated a generator to the “M. Gr. Sturza” Inspectorate for Emergency Situations in Iasi. The equipment, worth approximately $22,000, is intended to support the Inspectorate as it responds promptly and efficiently to disasters such as the severe flooding that affected thousands of Romanian homes, farms, schools and businesses this year.
The donation was coordinated by World Vision, an implementing partner funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Since flooding began in April, U.S. Government humanitarian assistance to Romania has totaled more than $5 million. The U.S. Department of Defense has also donated goods and equipment for the renovation of houses, schools, and medical facilities, and matching contributions from private companies such as Pioneer and Monsanto have brought in additional hundreds of thousands of dollars. These funds have been used for:
- Provision of emergency relief supplies such as water and water purification kits, personal hygiene items, food supplies, and portable stoves;
- Direct assistance to farmers and small businesses;
- Public information campaigns to prevent flood-related health emergencies; and
- Other health, social, and economic projects.
These activities are implemented by U.S. Government agencies and other partners, including World Vision, International Orthodox Christian Charities, John Snow International (JSI), Community Habitat Finance (CHF), Habitat for Humanity, and Chemonics. The U.S. Government continues to explore options for bringing further aid to those affected by the floods.
U.S. Embassy Charge D’Affaires Mark Taplin views such assistance as a natural outgrowth of the relationship between the two countries. “Romania and the United States are partners and friends,” he said on a recent visit to the village of Crampoia, “and it’s an honor to support you.”