28 Jul 2010 • Humanitarian crises Moldova

Moldova: Emergency measures to help children affected by floods

- Published by Darcissac, Marion

Heavy rainfalls in the northern Moldovan regions, as well as in Romania and Ukraine led to the serious flooding in many parts of Moldova. The most affected regions are Hancesti, Briceni, Nisporeni, Ungheni, Edinet, Riscani, Cantemir, Leova and municipality of Chisinau (north, centre and south of the country). The floods caused the displacement of population, destruction of villages and loss of crops. According to the United Nations statistical date , the floods affected about 85 communities from 16 districts, 850 houses flooded and 900 at risk of being flooded, as a result around 3’000 people have been evacuated, including more than 600 children.

265 of these children have been housed in summer camps, 230 placed in schools and warehouses with their parents, and remaining children are hosted with their family by relatives or neighbors.

In light of this, being aware of difficult life situation that these children are going through, a short-term partnership has been established between Terre des hommes, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) office in Moldova, NGO “Salvati Copiii” Moldova, and French Association “Solidarité Laïque” (mobilised by Alliance of Active NGOs in Social Protection of Child and Family) in order to give immediate help and assistance to 209 directly affected children placed in three summer camps of Hincesti and Chisinau. Therefore, during the period July 22nd to August 31st about 42 animators from Tdh are going to organize and carry out psychosocial activities for these children. The aim is to help them to overcome the consequences of trauma caused by floods and loss of home. Activities are also going to allow children to get relaxed, to express their feelings and emotions through non verbal activities (ex: drawings) or through discussions with animators, as well as to feel the concern and affection from other people.