THE Salvation Army is responding to floods in Moldova and Romania, providing vital basic assistance.
In Moldova flooding has been widespread, with parts of the north, east and south of the country being affected. Around 5,000 people were evacuated from villages where hundreds of homes were destroyed. Many people from the affected villages are elderly and therefore especially vulnerable; most young people have left to seek work.
Salvation Army corps officers (church ministers) and lay-Salvationists distributed basic toiletries and food as well as bottled water, bed linen and clothing. The Army’s mobile medical clinic stands ready to assist the injured. The officer from Criuleni Corps, in eastern Moldova, says: 'In the best of times life in the villages is tough but when flood waters rushed through in recent days many houses were unable to withstand the force of the torrent and collapsed.'
 Captain Valery Lalac hands out basic supplies to flood-hit people in Romania |
 Captain Valerii Tkach distributes relief supplies in Moldova |
In Romania the village of Răchiteni was affected by severe floods. The corps officer from nearby Iaşi reports: 'We were able to donate clothes and toys to distressed people as a result of the generosity of the people of Bucharest but much more needs to be done.' Many people have lost their harvests in the floods and the greatest needs are for food, clothing and shoes.
The Salvation Army is seeking to assist 100 affected families and has developed good relationships with the government and other agencies working in the area.
