Snow and freezing weather trap thousands across Eastern Europe

EASTERN EUROPE- 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 has begun a response in Romania, where more than 68 people have died 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 6,000 schools have been closed.

Last week, World Vision provided emergency kits with food, blankets and shoes to 1,500 individuals, many of which are children and vulnerable elderly from communities where World Vision works. Due to ongoing snowfalls and restricted access to many other isolated communities, World Vision will be expanding its response to include Buzau county, followed by an expansion into Vrancea county and other areas deemed at risk. The distribution process will be coordinated via staff on the ground in Buzau and accomplished through local partners, including churches and community leaders who will also help in identifying those at increased risk.

Schools are closed in many parts of northern Albania, while schools in the south are open, but only for short days... 

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 the 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.