The Ministry of National Defence continues on Sunday, February 12, the Land, Air and Naval operations in support of the people affected by massive snow falls and snow storms. The military intervened and continue to do so in the exceptional situations local population and authorities face, for the salvation of endangered lives, for the collection and distribution of food and basic goods, for the clearing of snow of the main access roads.
'The military act in solidarity and as stipulated by the Constitution, to be 24/7 side by side their colleagues from the Ministry of Administration and Internal Affairs. This is an exceptional act of solidarity. We are NATO military that conduct successful operations not only in the theaters of operations but here, at home, as well, wherever we are needed' minister Gabriel Oprea declared, Saturday, February 11, during the working visit he made with the Prime Minister Mihai Razvan Ungureanu and the Minister of Administration and Internal Affairs in several localities in Vrancea and Buzau counties.

At present, there are 19 ongoing interventions in counties all over Muntenia, Dobrogea and south Moldova regions. The troops work mainly at unblocking access roads to schools, nursing homes, isolated houses or ambulances and other cars that block the traffic.

Sunday night and in the morning, on February 12, the priority of the military was to urgently transport food and basic goods donated by businessmen and associations in the food industry that were collected at the 38 centers in Bucharest and several other garrisons across the country, to the people in localities isolated by snow.

Air Force C-27 J SPARTAN continued the air bridge established by order of the defence minister and airlifted 20 tons of food during the night, from Bucharest to Bacau. A C-27 J SPARTAN aircraft takes over 6 tons of food collected in the centers established in Timisoara si Sibiu, and transports them to the 95th Air Flotilla in Bacau. From there, the humanitarian aid will be taken over by the troops of the 2nd Infantry Division and transported by trucks in isolated localities in Vrancea County, following the request of local authorities. Military aircraft will continue to send humanitarian aid from all over the country to Bacau.
23 tons of food were transported by the trucks of the Joint Logistic Command and the 1st Infantry Division to localities isolated by snow in Buzau, Ialomita and Vrancea counties.

Sunday morning, other 10 military trucks left Bucharest heading for Ramnicelu, Boldu, Balaceanu, Cochirleanca, Ghergheasa, Balta Alba, Luciu and Valcele, in Buzau County and Dumitresti in Vrancea County, carrying 38 tons of food and two tons of clothing to be distributed by local authorities to the population.

The Ministry of Agriculture sent two trucks of food to the population in distress in Buzau and Vrancea counties, that were carried by the trucks of the 2nd Infantry Division.

Detachments of the 10th Engineering Brigade clear the ice and snow of the roads in the area of Buciumeni, Nicoresti, Poiana and Visina, Galati County. A detachment of the 288th Air Defence Artillery act in the area of Gura Calitei, Vrancea County while a detachment of the 8th LAROM Brigade intervenes in Dumitresti, to clear roads of snow.

The sea rescue tug 'Grozavul' ensures the transport of from Sulina to Tulcea, and continues to break the ice on Sulina channel while ensuring the transportation of food and people from isolated localities in the Danube Delta. River tugboat 328 continues to transport people between Tulcea and Tudor Vladimirescu.

Food collecting continued on Sunday, February 12 as well, and they will be urgently distributed by land or air as dictated by the weather conditions.

As the commitment to help our countrymen in distress proved great, the defence ministry established new collecting centers in military units of Someseni and Floresti, Cluj Napoca, in Bistrita, Turda, Botosani, Piatra Neamt, Prundu Bargaului, Miercurea Ciuc, Vatra Dornei, Sfantu Gheorghe, Odorheiu Secuiesc, Lunca de Sus, Arad, Lipova, Brad, Lugoj, Caransebes, Dej, Campeni, Simleu Silvaniei, Baia Mare, Zalau, Sighisoara, Deva, Targoviste, Pitesti, Satu Mare, Rasnov, Sebes and Targu Carbunesti.

There, as in the centers first opened in Bucharest, Timisoara, Cluj-Napoca, Sibiu, Brasov, Craiova, Braila and Bacau, citizens can make donations on Sunday until 20.00.

The Ministry of National Defence keeps the situation in the country under observation, through its specialized structure in the General Staff and can respond to requests from local and central authorities with 8000 troops and 2000 equipment, for the containment of
the effects of massive snowfalls and snow storms, as ordered by the the Minister of National Defence Gabriel Oprea.

MoND Press Office