Red Cross seeks funds for flood victims in Romania

GENEVA, May 2 (Reuters) The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies appealed on Tuesday for 2.4 million Swiss francs ( GENEVA, May 2 (Reuters) The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies appealed on Tuesday for 2.4 million Swiss francs ($2 million) to help 13,000 Romanians left homeless by their country's worst floods in more than a century.

In a statement, the world's largest relief agency also said the situation in the Danube delta region was expected to continue to deteriorate after the river breached waterlogged dikes on Sunday night.

''We are particularly concerned about the bad sanitary conditions and the possible spread of disease, both for people living in makeshift camps and for others still living in villages where latrines, wells and water networks are flooded out,'' said Anja Toivola, head of its European department.

The funds, to be used over the next three months, will support the Romanian Red Cross relief operation and buy family tents, blankets, tarpaulins, mattresses, sleeping bags, kitchen utensils, jerry cans, rubber boots and food, it said.

Over the past three weeks, 22 of Romania's 47 counties have been hit by the heaviest seasonal flooding in 110 years, with the southwest and southeast worst hit, according to the agency.

Reuters CH GC2022 million) to help 13,000 Romanians left homeless by their country's worst floods in more than a century.

In a statement, the world's largest relief agency also said the situation in the Danube delta region was expected to continue to deteriorate after the river breached waterlogged dikes on Sunday night.

''We are particularly concerned about the bad sanitary conditions and the possible spread of disease, both for people living in makeshift camps and for others still living in villages where latrines, wells and water networks are flooded out,'' said Anja Toivola, head of its European department.

The funds, to be used over the next three months, will support the Romanian Red Cross relief operation and buy family tents, blankets, tarpaulins, mattresses, sleeping bags, kitchen utensils, jerry cans, rubber boots and food, it said.

Over the past three weeks, 22 of Romania's 47 counties have been hit by the heaviest seasonal flooding in 110 years, with the southwest and southeast worst hit, according to the agency.

Reuters CH GC2022