Westport, CT (July 2, 2010) — Save the Children is readying a response for children affected by massive flooding in northen Romania. Floodwaters spilling over the banks of the Siret and Prut rivers has reportedly damaged over 7,000 homes and forced the rapid evacuation of some 10,000 children and adults. Damage to local water systems, bridges and other infrastructures has also been reported.

The agency, which has worked in Romania since 1990, is especially concerned for the well-being of the estimated 3,500 children who are believed to be among those displaced from their homes.

Save the Children will be conducting rapid assessments in hard-hit communities and, based on children's needs, will be providing relief that may include distributions of clean water, food, children's clothing, hygiene supplies and other essential supplies. The agency will also closely monitor children's health needs, as conditions in affected areas are likely to lead to an increase in the number of children suffering from diarrhea, pneumonia and other diseases.

Save the Children is also planning to assist children by initiating activities to help them deal with the stress they are experiencing. Activites may include psychosocial programs and summer camps for children whose homes were lost — supporting children's needs for normalcy and routine while also enabling their parents to concentrate on their recovery knowing that their children are safe.

Over the longer-term, the agency's focus may also include daily education activities, rehabilitating and re-supplying schools with furnishings and providing school-age children with classroom supplies and school unforms.

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