Long term suffering for Central Europe flood victims
9 March 2001


With tens of thousands of people uprooted by some of Central Europe's worst flooding in living memory, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is appealing for one million Swiss francs to strengthen Red Cross relief operations in the stricken area. But, it warns, the region's suffering could be long term.

The impact of the floods on a grave situation must not be underestimated, says the organisation. Pain and dislocation will remain after the waters have receded. Said Helena Korhonen, head of the International Federation's delegation for Central Europe, "What a changed environment has not taken from many, the floods may have washed away. It is time more attention was also paid to the silent disasters of the region."

The floods have devastated a wide area of north-eastern Hungary, as well as north-western Romania and western Ukraine after rapid snow melt and heavy rains caused the Tisza river and its tributaries to rise to record levels. Hundreds of hectares of farmland and hundreds of communities are underwater, and dikes have broken, exacerbating the situation. Tens of thousands of people had to flee their homes with little more than they could carry and prospects will be bleak for weeks to come.

Hundreds of Red Cross staff and volunteers in all three countries have distributed food, bottled water, hygiene articles, blankets and bedding material for the displaced. In Hungary, Red Cross water-borne rescue teams have played a crucial role, and psycho-social support teams are visiting the people traumatised by the loss of all their possessions.

The International Federation, in an appeal to donors today, underlines that the floods have centred on already deprived and under-developed regions which reflect the social cost of structural adjustments in the transition to free-market economies. Homelessness and other poverty-related problems have burgeoned in the region, and the elderly, the disabled, the long-term unemployed and other vulnerable groups are being marginalised by economic reform that does not consider the social safety net.

Today's appeal is in support of existing relief operations of the Hungarian, Romanian and Ukrainian Red Cross National Societies, and seeks to assist 53,000 flood-affected people, in all three countries, for a one-month period. The funds will be used mainly to purchase food, bottled water and hygiene articles. Said Korhonen, "It is unclear how long the water will remain, but many flood victims may be unable to return home for weeks. Assistance to them through this period is essential."

For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:

In Budapest
John Sparrow, Regional Information delegate, Tel.: + 36 1 319 3053
mobile tel : +36 20 340 24 60
In Geneva :
Marie-Françoise Borel, Information Officer Tel : (41 22) 730 4346 /mob : (41 79) 416 3881

The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.