Romanian President Promises Flood Relief, Says Education, Healthcare Cuts Required

„The first thing people must do is be united. As for Government assistance, we are evaluating the situation and will provide construction materials. The money will come from the state budget. Cuts will be applied in education and healthcare,” said Basescu in Dorohoi, a city in northeastern Romania, severely affected by the floods.

The president also said this is the last year the state will provide construction materials and urged the people affected by the floods to insure their homes.

Basescu visited Dorohoi on Friday, together with Development Minister Elena Udrea and Defense Minister Gabriel Oprea.

Twenty-three people have died in the severe floods that hit Romania over the past two weeks and thousands have been evacuated from their homes.

During the past 24 hours, over 104 towns and villages in 14 counties countrywide saw heavy rains, which caused river water levels to rise and 7,762 people to be evacuated, representatives of the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations said Friday.

Overall, the heavy rainfall affected 3,903 individual farms, yards and gardens, 396 residences and 607 basements. The floods submerged over 12,300 hectares of farmland and 3,622 hectares of pastures and damaged 24 company buildings, 16 roads, over 500 bridges and 6,616 fountains.