VZCZCXYZ0010
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHBM #0609 2131330
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 311330Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8549
INFO RUEHKV/AMEMBASSY KYIV IMMEDIATE 0079
RUEHCH/AMEMBASSY CHISINAU IMMEDIATE 1344
UNCLAS BUCHAREST 000609
STATE PLEASE PASS TO USAID DHCA/OFDA, RANDREW
ALSO FOR EUR/CE, ASCHEIBE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID SOCI
SUBJECT: ROMANIA: DISASTER DECLARATION FOR SIX ROMANIAN COUNTIES
Sensitive but Unclassified, not for Internet distribution.
1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 6.
2. (SBU) Summary: The Ambassador has determined that severe floods
in Northern Romania have created a natural disaster beyond Romania's
ability to respond without additional assistance. The Ministry of
Interior has requested the assistance of the USG in responding to
this disaster. The NGO World Vision is currently active in
responding to this emergency situation and would be prepared to
accept USG financial support. End Summary
3. (U) Severe flooding in Romania along the Prut, Siret, Suceava,
and Tisa Rivers has forced 15,834 individuals to evacuate from their
homes in Maramures, Botosani, Bacau, Neamt, Iasi, Vaslui counties.
The flooding has killed at least 5 people and already flooded 6,826
homes. According to World Vision, at least 1391 additional families
are in areas that continue to be threatened by rising river waters.
Flooding is also affecting communities in neighboring Moldova and
Ukraine.
4. (U) The Ministry of Interior has requested USG assistance in
responding to the disaster. The Ambassador has determined that it
would be in the USG's best interest to respond to this request. As
an initial response, Post requests the release of USD 50,000 from
USAID/OFDA. The NGO World Vision would be the locally operating
organization best equipped to manage any disaster relief funds.
World Vision is currently at the disaster site and is assisting
families with their immediate needs. They plan to primarily direct
any USG donations toward families in the village of Coleste, in Iasi
County, who are currently in the process of being evacuated. Funds
would be used by World Vision to provide emergency food and shelter
to the affected families, as well as to establish safe areas for
children.
5. (U) The Ministry of Interior has also asked for electric
generators and assistance with emergency shelter.
6. (U) Post requests that USAID/OFDA approve a grant of USD 50,000
for World Vision to respond to the current natural disaster in
Romania and provide fiscal data and instructions for disbursing the
funds to World Vision to assist with immediate relief efforts.
TAUBMAN