ReliefWeb

Central and Eastern Europe
Central / Eastern Europe & Caucasus Floods - EUFL71

- Original Appeal Target: US$ 1,858,496 (03 Sep 97)

- Revised Appeal Target: US$ 3,416,438 (100% Covered)

Geneva, March 19, 1998

Dear Friends,

Large parts of Central & Eastern Europe, as well as parts of the Caucasus were hit by extensive flooding during July and August 1997. The floods followed unusually heavy rainfalls and caused major damages and destruction in parts of Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, and Armenia. In response to the widespread humanitarian needs, ACT issued appeal EUFL71 on 18 July to provide initial emergency relief for flood victims throughout the affected regions. The severity of flood related damages and needs resulted in a revision of the original appeal during August of 1997 which dramatically increased the relief and rehabilitation response by ACT members in the region.

Working in close cooperation with the original appeal implementing members, ACT/Dutch Interchurch Aid - Europe Desk Netherlands and ACT/Diakonisches Werk - Germany, have provided or designated additional funds for flood rehabilitation projects in Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. This document provides an update on appeal activities completed to date and revised information regarding the additional and continuing flood rehabilitation activities. All funding for this appeal has been fully covered at this time and ACT is not seeking further donations. The appeal time period is extended through 30 Sep 1998 to allow for completion of additional relief and rehabilitation projects.

For further information, please contact:

ACT Co-ordinator, Miriam Lutz (phone 41 22 791 6032 or mobile phone ++ 41 89 203 6055)
or
ACT Appeals Officer, Dirk Van Gorp (phone +41 22 791 6040)

I. IMPLEMENTING ACT MEMBERS

II. APPEAL EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

POLAND - ACT/ECCP-HIA

A. Appeal Projects - Update/Status
During the initial emergency phase, ACT/ECCP-HIA provided short term emergency relief targeted for the evacuation and critical needs of and estimated 300 children and young people from flood affected regions. ACT/ECCP and ACT/HIA have worked in close partnership and cooperation in all appeal activities and HIA has provided a consultant to assist ACT/ECCP with assessment, implementation and monitoring. Rehabilitation and repair works on the Home for the Elderly in Wroclaw have been largely completed with the exception of some minor exterior and interior works. Ongoing and additional projects are funded by ACT/DDW and include rehabilitation/repairs to a school and distribution of dehumidifiers.

B. Revised Appeal Budget: ACT/ECCP-HIA (Inclusive of Admin, Personnel & Operational Costs)

Appeal Funding Received or Committed

C. Reporting

• Regular narrative and financial reports have been submitted on rehabilitation/repair projects.
• Partial narrative reporting has been submitted on relief projects.
• Complete narrative & financial reports are needed for all relief projects.

POLAND

• ACT/ELCP

A. Appeal Projects Update/Status
ACT/ELCP provided short term emergency relief assistance to flood victims in the Bielsko-Biela and Northeastern regions of Poland. Assistance provided included Blankets, Accommodation of children and youth in camps, Food, Hygiene Items, Vitamins, Baby Food, Medical Vaccinations and School repairs. Appeal projects have been completed and final reports are being prepared.

B. Revised Appeal Budget: ACT/ELCP (Inclusive of Admin, Personnel and Operational Costs)

Appeal Funding Received or Committed

C. Reporting

• ACT/ELCP indicated on 01 March that project reports would be provided by the end of March 1998

POLAND

• ACT/EEOWCC

A. Appeal Projects - Update/Status
During the initial emergency phase, ACT/EEOWCC provided targeted short term emergency relief assistance focused on the needs of flood victims in southern Poland including provision of Drinking Water, Blankets, Food Supplies, Medicines & Medical Supplies, Hygienic and Sanitary Needs. An In-Kind material donation of medicines and medical supplies was distributed in flood affected areas.

Following the initial crisis phase assistance, ACT/EEOWCC has assisted approximately 200 families in Wroclaw (Breslau) and Opole, through the provision of small grants to purchase flood recovery needs including food, agricultural seeds, animal fodder, medicines, housing reconstruction materials, and household equipment and furnishings. All appeal projects have been implemented through local churches, church agencies, and community organizations. Administrative and coordination has been provided by the EEOWCC office staff and leadership. On going and additional projects, funded by ACT/DIA-Europe Desk Netherlands, are targeted to assist farmers with seeds, families with essential flood rehabilitation assistance, and summer activities for vulnerable flood affected children. These projects will be managed by the EEOWCC office through local committees in Opole and Wroclaw made up of representatives from churches, NGOs and local government.

B. Revised Appeal Budget: ACT/EEOWCC (Inclusive of Admin, Personnel and Operational Costs)

Appeal Funding Received or Committed

C. Reporting

• Regular Updates and Reports (Narrative and Financial) have been submitted.

CZECH REPUBLIC - ACT/SD-HIA

A. Appeal Projects - Update/Status
During the initial emergency phase, ACT/SD provided immediate short term emergency relief to the flood damaged regions and towns of Bohemia, Opava, Otrokovice, and Zlin. Assistance included Food, Hygienic Supplies, Repair Materials and Clothing for elderly persons and children.

ACT/SD and ACT/HIA are working in close partnership and cooperation for additional and ongoing appeal activities, funded by ACT/DDW which target: Accommodation for elderly and handicapped people in Siroka Niva and Nrnov; Rehabilitation and repair of the House for the Elderly in Karlovice; And the Rehabilitation and repair of 'Frauenhaus' accommodation for maltreated women and the elderly in Petrovice. HIA has provided a consultant to assist ACT/SD with assessment, implementation and monitoring.

B. Revised Appeal Budget: ACT/SD-HIA (Inclusive of Admin, Personnel and Operational Costs)

Appeal Funding Received or Committed

C. Reporting

• Interim narrative report submitted for rehabilitation and repair projects
• Complete narrative & financial reports are needed for all relief projects.

CZECH REPUBLIC And SLOVAK REPUBLIC - ACT/OCCLS

A. Appeal Projects - Update/Status
During the initial crisis phase, ACT/OCCLS provided targeted emergency relief assistance in the communities of Vilmeov, Stopanov, and Bochor in the region of Moravia. Assistance provided included Water, Food Supplies, Emergency Shelter, Hygienic Supplies and Cooking Stoves and Utensils. All assistance was provided and implemented through local community churches and related agencies in the flood affected areas. Additional assistance targeted vulnerable families in need of assistance for repairing flood damaged homes and for basic life support needs.

On going and additional projects, funded by ACT/DIA-Europe Desk Netherlands, are targeted to assist vulnerable families with essential flood rehabilitation assistance in both the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic, and for renovation of community structures.

B. Revised Appeal Budget: ACT/OCCLS (Inclusive of Admin, Personnel and Operational Costs)

Appeal Funding Received or Committed

C. Reporting

• Complete narrative and financial reporting and audit statements have been submitted for all appeal activities completed to date.

CZECH REPUBLIC - ACT/ECCCR

A. Appeal Projects - Update/Status
ACT/ECCCR provided relief and rehabilitation assistance targeting the residents and structures of a Home for mentally and physically handicapped children in Otrokivice, and a Home for the Elderly in Podlesi. The appeal projects were implemented through member churches and related agencies of ECCCR.

A consultant provided by ACT/DIA has worked with ACT/ECCCR to establish an 'Ecumenical Flood Committee' within the ECCCR. New and additional projects, supported by DIA funds will target relief and rehabilitation assistance for vulnerable flood victims and families (elderly, handicapped, poor women head of households, poor families with children, unemployed), as well as assistance for the renovation of community structures

B. Revised Appeal Budget: ACT/ECCCR (Inclusive of Admin, Personnel and Operational Costs)

Appeal Funding Received or Committed

C. Reporting

• Acknowledgement of receipt of funds and thank you notes provided.
• Complete narrative and financial reports are needed for initial relief and rehabilitation activities.

ROMANIA

• ACT/AIDRom

A. Appeal Projects - Update/Status
ACT/AIDRom provided assistance which targeted housing repair and reconstruction materials for families displaced by the floods. Many of these families were rural agricultural families whose crops have been destroyed by the flood waters. Areas as