Snow and freezing weather trap thousands across the Middle East and Eastern Europe
by Dwayne Mamo, WV MEER Regional Communications Manager Georgia
Harsh winter conditions continue to choke many parts of Eastern Europe. In Romania and across the Balkans, many villages remain closed off due to continued sub-zero weather, heavy snow fall and, in some cases, avalanches, forcing local governments to declare emergencies in some parts of their countries.
World Vision will not be declaring an emergency in any countries where it has offices for the time being. However, individual offices are responding to needs as they see fit.
In Romania, 34 people have died already and average recorded temperatures have been hovering around -25 Celsius since the second half of January. Some 250 communities have been affected so far, 37 of which are completely isolated and 138 of which no longer have electricity, and 1,200 schools have been closed with another 1,400 likely to follow.
World Vision Romania operates in seven counties across the country, five of which are heavily affected by the snow and freezing temperatures. Rural areas and the vulnerable populations within them are often the worst affected in such circumstances.
“World Vision Romania is making efforts to support over 500 vulnerable families – totalling more than 1,100 children from five snow-affected counties. Food, blankets, warm clothing and shoes will be distributed as soon as possible. According to the information we have at this point, children are not in immediate danger, but if the situation escalates, we need to make sure they stay warm and have enough food”, said Eugene Borlea, Emergencies Relief Manager for World Vision Romania.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the situation though not as dire, requires constant monitoring. Over the weekend between one and two metres of new snow fell across the country and will continue to fall through Wednesday with temperatures throughout the week remaining at -15 Celsius, forcing schools to remain closed through Friday. The World Vision office was closed Monday and will close as weather dictates.
“We have assessed the situation, found that in all communities we work in, families are safe and have enough food, water and other supplies to get through this period. The only hindrance is transportation and accessibility that have also affected our national office. All families and children are safe. There is no need of staging an immediate response. We will continue to monitor the situation until accessibility to communities is provided again”, said Hans Bederski, WV Bosnia and Herzegovina National Director.
For other countries in the Balkans the situation is much the same.
In Albania, the northern part of the country is more severely affected than the south, with the north receiving more than a metre of snow over the weekend. Schools are closed in many parts of northern Albania, while schools in the south are open, but only for short days.
World Vision is helping in three areas in Albania where it has programming and is assisting families that are in extremely vulnerable situations. In the north World Vision is working with the government to clear roads to access isolated villages and has given food to two families who had no access to food for days. In the south World Vision has helped over 20 vulnerable families with food, two families with wood for heating, two health centres with heaters, and in one extreme case has found a home for a family of four who had been only living in a tent with no heat, food, and very little clothing.
In Kosovo all schools have been closed until the weather turns warmer.
Cold weather is also affecting Azerbaijan and the World Vision office there is closing as needed.
World Vision will continue to monitor the situation in the communities it works in across the region to ensure that children and the most vulnerable remain safe in this continued cold snap.
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