Chisinau, July 12, 2010 – 400 packs of hygiene kits were distributed on July 10, to Obileni and Sarateni villages, which have been affected by floods. This initiative is part of UNFPA and UNICEF response to floods in Moldova. 

The hygiene packs containing soap, shampoo, detergent, pads, towels and food were distributed to the most affected families. The packs were procured and distributed as a result of several field assessment visits of UN representatives to the areas affected by floods, which revealed a strong need of this kind of assistance. 

On July 10, another initiative to help displaced people came from a group of young people in Chisinau . They called the clients of a number of supermarkets in the capital to buy food for affected people. A total of 100 packages were collected and delivered to the affected areas with the support of International Organization for Migration in Moldova.

The UN Agencies in Moldova provided another 500 hygiene packs to the displaced population from the village of Cotul Morii who have been evacuated to Obileni village. Also nearly 21 000 plastic plates were delivered to Nemteni village. Overall, the humanitarian assistance provided by UN agencies to affected villages so far is estimated at 60 000 lei.

These actions are the first steps of UN assistance in Moldova.  „We will stay in close contact with the Government of Moldova and the displaced people and provide immediate information and humanitarian assistance needed at this stage”, stated the UN representatives in Moldova.