Romania and Moldova severely affected by flooding from storm Boris

Storm Boris swept across Central and Eastern Europe, causing widespread devastation. Romania and Moldova were particularly hard hit by the exceptional rainfall, which led to devastating floods directly affecting thousands of people. The disaster has not only caused extensive damage to infrastructure and homes, but has also tragically claimed lives. Our local offices in Romania and Moldova have been mobilised to assess the situation where assistance is most urgently needed. This was done via partners and contacts in various locations and official government sources.

What is the situation in Romania following storm Boris?

Romania is one of the worst affected countries. In the south-western province of Galați, the situation is particularly severe due to rising water levels in the Danube River, especially near the border with Moldova.

More than 5,000 households in twelve towns have been directly affected by the floods. In some areas, the water level has risen by almost two metres, forcing many people to evacuate their homes. Romanian rescue teams are currently on the ground, using boats and helicopters to reach people in need.

Severe damage to a home in Romania, where water levels reached up to two metres.

Dorcas has been active in Romania since 1990 and our local office is closely monitoring the situation. Although we are not currently working in the most affected areas, we have strong links with local partner organisations. Dorcas was one of the first organisations to work in Romania after the fall of the Berlin Wall, and we had active projects in Galați until a few years ago. Now that the city has been hit by this natural disaster, Dorcas is ready to assist.

While the Romanian government is leading the emergency response, our local colleagues have taken action to assess needs and provide support where necessary. Dorcas Romania staff have been on site to assess the situation and coordinate assistance. The immediate focus is on assessing the damage and the needs of the affected communities so that Dorcas can be ready to assist as soon as the water levels begin to recede. Only then can clean-up and reconstruction work begin.

Dorcas’ regular projects in Romania focus on food security, care for older people, family support and combating human trafficking. This expertise and experience is now being used to support the communities most affected by the floods.

Moldova: Severe Damage in Leova District

Moldova was also severely affected by the floods caused by Storm Boris. In the south-west of the country, the district of Leova was particularly badly affected. Two bridges were completely destroyed, cutting off access to key roads. The situation is critical in the village of Sarata Noua, where a nearby reservoir is at risk of overflowing. This could lead to dam breaches, further exacerbating the flooding.

The emergency situation in the district of Leova remains unresolved. Local emergency services, together with international partners, are working tirelessly to mitigate the damage and save lives. While some areas were temporarily without power, electricity has been restored to most of the affected areas.

Country Director Leila informed us that, in addition to the floods, a 5.2 magnitude earthquake has struck, making conditions in the affected regions even worse.

Dorcas primarily works in Moldova on community development, with a focus on protection and social safety nets for children, older people, and families, as well as improving livelihoods. Dorcas also provides emergency food assistance to refugees from Ukraine.

At the moment, our focus in Moldova is more on long-term development. We are monitoring the situation closely to determine if, where and how we can provide the most effective support.

While Dorcas has not yet travelled to Leova District due to government travel advisories, we are in close contact with local partners, volunteers, and churches. Dorcas awaits further official information to determine how best to assist the impacted communities.

What is Dorcas doing after the floods in Romania and Moldova?

The scale of damage in Romania and Moldova demonstrates the need for both immediate and long-term support. Although the governments of both countries responded swiftly to provide emergency support, the rebuilding of homes and infrastructure will be a prolonged and challenging process. Thousands of displaced people are currently residing in temporary shelters, where they are being provided with basic necessities such as food and water. However, this is only a short-term solution.

Once water levels recede, the focus will shift to large-scale clean-up and restoration efforts. The rebuilding of homes and infrastructure is expected to take months, if not years. Additionally, essential goods such as furniture, bedding, kitchen utensils, and other household items are also needed.

Both Dorcas Romania and Dorcas Moldova are monitoring the situation closely and looking into plans for potentially starting a reponse in assisting affected households.

17 September 2024