August 11, 2005

Photos from Crampoaia
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This morning, U.S. Embassy Charge D’Affaires Mark Taplin traveled to Crampoia, approximately 40 km SE of Slatina, to meet Mayor Ilie Ciobanu and other villagers affected by the recent floods. Around 400 houses in Crampoia were flooded, of which 300 were greatly damaged and 17 were totally destroyed.

“Imagine what it’s like to wake up at midnight with water rushing around your bed,” villager Marioara Dragici told the delegation from the U.S. Embassy. “It’s a nightmare that hasn’t yet stopped for us. You were the first to extend a hand, and we thank you.”

The visit was part of a larger flood relief program implemented by the U.S. Government. The American response in Crampoia includes emergency supplies, such as mattresses, beds, rubber boots, and other goods, for approximately 250 people. The relief and development organization World Vision distributes supplies purchased with U.S. Government funds in Crampoia and other affected communities.

“Romania and the United States are partners and friends,” Mr. Taplin said, “and it’s an honor to support you. I’m especially impressed by the way you rallied as a community and so quickly began to work together toward reconstruction.”

Mr. Taplin also praised World Vision for its work, as did Mayor Ciobanu and many of the villagers. This is the second time this year that World Vision has received funds from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to help victims of flooding in Romania. They also handled the initial $50,000 USAID contribution for those affected by flooding in Timis County in May 2005.

Crampoia Vice Mayor Elena Stancu thanked the United States and World Vision for their continued support, saying, “You’ve stood beside us more than once. Thank you for coming here to listen to those who have suffered.”

U.S. Government humanitarian assistance in response to the flooding which began in April has amounted to more than $3 million thus far, of which $2.6 million has purchased food, personal hygiene items, portable heaters, water purification systems, and grants and loans for renovation projects within affected communities through USAID. Also, the U.S. Department of Defense has donated goods and equipment for the renovation of houses, schools, and medical facilities.

For more information, please contact:
Cristina Rosu – coordinator World Vision, tel: 0744.583.298;
Elena Stancu - Viceprimar Crampoia - 0249.485.020

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11 August, 2005

Photos from Crampoaia
» more pictures... » mai multe fotografii...

In aceasta dimineata, Insarcinatul cu Afaceri al Misiunii Diplomatice a Statelor Unite la Bucuresti, Mark Taplin, s-a deplasat la Crampoia, localitate situata la aproximativ 40 de kilometri SE de Slatina, pentru a se intalni cu primarul localitatii, Ilie Ciobanu, si cu alti localnici afectati de ultimele inundatii. Circa 400 de case au fost inundate, din care 300 au fost avariate, iar 17 au fost distruse in totalitate.

O localnica pe nume Marioara Dragici a spus delegatiei Ambasadei SUA: “Imaginati-va cum este sa va treziti in miezul noptii si sa vedeti ca patul dumneavoastra pluteste in apa.” Ea a adaugat: “Este un cosmar care inca nu s-a terminat pentru noi. Sunteti primii care ne intindeti mana si pentru asta va multumim.”

Vizita a avut loc in cadrul unui amplu program de asistenta umanitara acordata victimelor inundatiilor, implementat de Guvernul Statelor Unite. Asistenta americana in Crampoia consta in ajutoare de urgenta, cum ar fi saltele, cizme de cauciuc si alte bunuri, pentru aproximativ 250 de oameni. Organizatia de intrajutorare si dezvoltare World Vision distribuie ajutoare de urgenta achizitionate din fonduri ale Guvernului Statelor Unite, atat in Crampoia cat si in alte comunitati afectate de inundatii.

Mark Taplin a declarat: “Romania si Statele Unite sunt state partenere si prietene si este o onoare sa va putem ajuta. Sunt impresionat in mod deosebit de modul in care v-ati mobilizat in cadrul comunitatii si de cat de repede ati inceput sa munciti impreuna pentru reconstructia zonei.”

De asemenea, Mark Taplin, impreuna cu primarul Ciobanu si mai multi localnici au laudat World Vision pentru activitatea pe care o desfasoara. Este a doua oara in acest an cand World Vision a primit fonduri de la Agentia Statelor Unite pentru Dezvoltare Internationala (USAID) pentru ajutorarea victimelor inundatiilor din Romania. De asemenea, organizatia s-a ocupat de prima contributie USAID, in valoare de 50.000 USD, acordata victimelor inundatiilor din judetul Timis, din luna mai 2005.

Vice-primarul localitatii Crampoia, Elena Stancu, a multumit Statelor Unite si World Vision pentru sprijinul acordat, declarand: “Ati fost alaturi de noi si nu numai o data. Va multumim ca ati venit aici sa ii ascultati pe cei aflati in suferinta.”

Pana in prezent, asistenta umanitara a Guvernului Statelor Unite, ca reactie la inundatiile care au inceput in luna aprilie, se ridica la aproximativ 3 milioane USD, din care 2,6 milioane au fost folosite pentru achizitionarea de hrana, articole de igiena personala, dispozitive de incalzire portabile, sisteme de purificare a apei, precum si imprumuturi rambursabile si nerambursabile pentru proiecte de renovare derulate in cadrul comunitatilor afectate, prin intermediul USAID. De asemenea, Departamentul American de Aparare a donat bunuri si echipamente pentru renovarea caselor, scolilor si unitatilor medicale.

Pentru informatii suplimentare, va rugam sa contactati:
Cristina Rosu – Coordonator World Vision, tel: 0744.583.298;
Elena Stancu - Viceprimar Crampoia - 0249.485.020

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