The Disaster
Melting snows and heavy rains have led
to serious flooding in Romania, Hungary and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
(FRY) over the past few days.
Because of a quick snow melt in Romania and Ukraine and heavy rainfalls in northern Hungary and western Romania, the water levels of the Tamis River in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the Tisza and Bodrog Rivers and their tributaries in Hungary, and the Kris, Mures, Somes and Timis Rivers in Romania, have risen significantly above normal levels.
Hungary
Boka Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén and Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg districts in the north-east and the area around the town of Szolnok in eastern Hungary have been flooded. Some 200 people have been evacuated and mostly accommodated with their relatives; another 500 are threatened.
Romania
Alba, Arad, Bihor, Caras-Severin, Hunadoara, Mures, Satu-Mare and Timis districts in western Romania have been flooded, affecting some 60,000 people in 309 communities. The floods have caused damage to 8,231 houses, 365 bridges and 158 roads and 60,000 hectares of cultivated land.
FR Yugoslavia
The villages of Surjan and Konaks in Secanj district in Vojvodina have been affected, but no-one has so far had to leave their homes.
Red Cross/Red Crescent Action
Romanian Red Cross
The Romanian Red Cross has sent bed linen, clothes, rubber boots, basic food items and mineral water with a value of CHF 34,000 to the affected areas. Another consignment of relief items with a value of CHF 21,000 will be sent in the next few days. The National Society has appealed to the public for cash donations.
Hungarian Red Cross
The Hungarian Red Cross has released CHF 18,750 in order to provide rubber boots and food supplies to those who have been working on the dams and to assist people who have had to leave their homes.
Yugoslav Red Cross
So far, there has been no need for the Yugoslav Red Cross to provide support. A Federation field delegate is currently in the area to assess the situation.
Needs
At this stage the Hungarian Red Cross can manage to provide relief from its own resources, while the Romanian Red Cross will quite likely need external financial support to continue its relief operations.
Further details will be given as they become available.
The Federation's Regional Delegation in Budapest is monitoring the situation closely and is ready to provide support to the three National Societies.
Bjorn Eder
Director
Europe Department
Peter Rees-Gildea
Director
Operations Funding and Reporting Department