The Romanian Aid Foundation & Asociatia Neemia

Our latest load was initially refused acceptance in Romania due to changes in the procedures for importing goods from outside of the EU. As a consequence we are unable to accept any more goods for packing and onward transport until we have reached a full understanding and agreement with the relevant authorities. We anticipate that we will be able to resume our activities at the beginning of September.

The packing team at Horley will be taking a break during August; similarly, the warehouse at Billingshurst will be closed except for pre-arranged deliveries. On this occasion, the black collection boxes will also be closed pending a better understanding of the new import regulations.

This year represents 30 years since the first delivery to Romania and 25 years since the formal establishment of the Romanian Aid Foundation and Asociatia Neemia. The Horley team arranged a special tea and reminiscences event at Horley Baptist Church on the 24th July when Beni and Ionela, as representatives of AN, were able to give an update on our activities in Romania.

Last month one of the loads from the UK was inspected by the Romanian customs authorities and several items were found that did not comply with import controls which came into force shortly before the lorry arrived. The load was eventually released but this was a expensive and stressful experience that teaches us that we should not become complacent about God’s blessings on our activities. The principal items of concern were:
Food: The import of foodstuffs into Romania now requires certification of origin and preparation; this is impractical for small donations so we can no longer accept individual donations of food. Large donations where the certification is available can be accepted, strictly by prior agreement.
Toys: Certain toys can be considered dangerous to children, especially when there is an absence of adult supervision. At present, toys are subject to a complete ban but we have comments from a number of organisations that use toys that we have supplied, asking that we find a way to continue to provide them with suitable items.
Clothing: Garments that are dirty or unserviceable can compromise the whole load. The established packing teams do a good job of sorting-out unsatisfactory items but pre-boxed deliveries will have to be inspected.

We will update our guidelines after we have a better understanding of the regulations. In the meantime, Asociatia Neemia has sufficient stock in its warehouse to allow aid distribution to continue for several months.

This month’s featured photos

• Matching names with faces
• RoAF-30
• Received with thanks

Last month’s statistics

Stats notes:
– Joiners are new registrants this month, Leavers are are those whose latest recorded donation was 12 months ago.
– Some households may receive more than one donation during a month (eg, repeat donations of food).
– Items shown as 0 or as “…” are awaiting final returns for the month.

 
Previous month’s news, July 2022

This year represents 30 years since the first delivery to Romania and 25 years since the formal establishment of the Romanian Aid Foundation and Asociatia Neemia. The Horley team has arranged a special tea and reminiscences event at Horley Baptist Church on the 24th July.

The packing team at Horley will be taking a break during August; similarly, the warehouse at Billingshurst will be closed except for pre-arranged deliveries. The black collection boxes will continue to be accessible as normal.

This month we have replaced our usual round-up of news with a selection of photos from the archives. We have experienced some access problems on our website during the past two weeks; these are primarily due to updated web browsers now longer supporting some elements of the structure of our sites, but our web host now advises that the matters have been resolved. Our apologies for the interruption. Work can now resume of bringing our photo-gallery up-to-date.

If you want any further details about any of the items mentioned in our news letters, or you want to be added to or deleted from our monthly mailing list then please do contact us via the details given on our contact details page.

This month’s featured photos

• Horley Packing Team
• Going, going
• Received with thanks

Last month’s statistics

Stats notes:
– Joiners are new registrants this month, Leavers are are those whose latest recorded donation was 12 months ago.
– Some households may receive more than one donation during a month (eg, repeat donations of food).
– Items shown as 0 or as “…” are awaiting final returns for the month.

 
Previous month’s news, June 2022

The UK teams have been successful in assembling enough items to be able to send another lorry during this month. Along with about 7 tons of clothing, bedding and shoes there will be toys, medical items and household goods. We will also be able to send 1 ton of rice, donated by a charity in west Wales. Once again, on behalf of those who will be the eventual recipients of these items, we express thanks to all those who have been involved in the donation, preparation and loading of these goods and to those who support this work with time, finances and prayer.

This month we have another letter from one of the Ukrainian families staying long-term at Casa Neemia. Anya and Valentina write:
“Our family came from Ukraine. I am the mother, Anya, with my son Nazar (age 11, see photo) and grandmother Valentina. We came from the city of Krivoy Rog. We lived quietly, calmly and did not know what awaited us when on February 24th it was announced that the war had begun. It became scary for days on end, the sirens began to boom. The happy life of Ukrainians ended with the word war. The sound of sirens, explosions and fires, the murder of children, women and the elderly, and violence. In order to save them we had to leave Ukraine.

All our lives we will thank the hearty Romanians for saving us from grief. We pray for them, God bless them and their children.”

At the end of May a team from AN was able to go into western Ukraine, taking clothing, food and hygiene items. Although there was no actual fighting in that area the economic impacts of the war were very obvious; the goods that they took will be shared with those in particular need.

Our normal activities have continued as usual; thankfully we are still able to supply food and clothing to those who request them. The growing season started a little late this year but now Casa Neemia residents are helping to cultivate the garden there and also the land at the warehouse.

This month’s featured photos

• Casa Neemia garden
• Helping refugee families
• Aid delivery to Ukraine

Last month’s statistics

Stats notes:
– Joiners are new registrants this month, Leavers are are those whose latest recorded donation was 12 months ago.
– Some households may receive more than one donation during a month (eg, repeat donations of food).
– Items shown as 0 or as “…” are awaiting final returns for the month.

 
Previous month’s news, May 2022

Once again, stocks are building up in our warehouses. Plans were in hand for another lorry at the end of April but the late Orthodox Easter and the bank holiday weekend in the UK have meant that commercial lorries may be not be readily available then and this load will be delayed. Nevertheless we anticipate being able to send yet another lorry in early June.

Again we want to thank all those who have given so generously, whether it be goods, time, finances or prayer; you are all partners in our efforts to help needy Romanian households and now also our visitors from Ukraine.

This month we received some extra food and household items from a charity based in the west of Romania. It was a long drive in our van to go and collect the goods but it was worthwhile. The goods included a large quantity of margarine which we can donate in place of the sunflower oil now that last year’s crop is almost exhausted.

A letter from Ukraine Dorohoi:
“ I’m Natalia, my husband is Sasha and our daughter is Sveta, we come from Ucraina from the town Zaporojie and arrived here on 30th of March.

To begin with we have not planned to evacuate our home, but when we heard about how the Russian criminals and Russian rapists commit atrocities in Ukraine and they are getting closer to Zaporojie area and so many people died in Mariupol in basements without water and food.

Then we heard that will be organised an evacuation train from Zaporojie for people with handicap and disabilities. Our daughter has Down Syndrom so we were able to leave Zaporojie. Some volunteers looked after us and guided us to be able to get to Romania, in Dorohoi.

Our family are staying in Casa Neemia, a beautiful house with many rooms where young boys and girls orphans are staying as well. We feel very welcome here, Beni and Angelica are looking after all our needs and all the others are caring, kind and very friendly with us. We are staying now in a large, beautiful and very comfortable room. We are well fed with delicious food every day.

We thank you and wish all God’s blessing upon you! ”

Last month’s statistics

Stats notes:
– Joiners are new registrants this month, Leavers are are those whose latest recorded donation was 12 months ago.
– Some households may receive more than one donation during a month (eg, repeat donations of food).
– Items shown as 0 or as “…” are awaiting final returns for the month.

 
Previous month’s news, April 2022

This month signifies 30 years since the first aid lorry and the experiences which eventually led to the foundation of the Romanian Aid Foundation and Asociatia Neemia – so much for a ‘one-off’ venture!

Our thanks go to those who have responded so generously to our request for help for the refugees from the war in Ukraine. We sent one lorry at the end of March with clothing, bedding and food, and with an additional donation of new mattresses. With these items we will be able to provide for the refugees as well as continuing our usual donations to local people.

The main activity of the AN team this past month has been expanding the facilities that we can offer to refugees passing through this area. The initial design of Casa Neemia included a large attic space, in anticipation of the eventual expansion of the accommodation.

We have received generous funding which has allowed us to make good progress with the preparation of the new rooms. There are two rooms, each capable of providing accommodation for up to four people; each room has its en-suite bathroom and a small kitchen unit where, for example, a family could prepare some food independently of that on offer in the main dining room. The other facilities of the house will, of course, be available to them.

This work is now nearing completion, a fire resistant staircase has been installed along with other safety measures and we are waiting for the final approval to start using the new rooms.

In our experience to date, the refugees fall into one of three groups.
> There are those who are grateful for the opportunity for rest and refreshment, and then want to move on; we have been able to help them in this way using our existing facilities.
> There are others who want to stay close to the border, with the intention of going back to rebuild their country as soon as it is safe to do so.
> There is a third group; those who have nowhere to go on to and nowhere to go back to. Often they have brought very little with them; they need the most help, especially those who have been traumatised by their experiences.
In co-operation with other charities and individuals we are working at ways of helping the second and third groups on a longer term too. We trust that our visitors will find peace of mind as well as satisfaction of their physical needs.

In addition to assisting the refugees we have continued with our normal aid distribution. Our staff and existing residents have responded well to the additional workload and disruption.

This month’s featured photos

• A full load, with bedding and mattresses
• A new bathroom nears completion
• Laying the flooring

Last month’s statistics

Stats notes:
– Joiners are new registrants this month, Leavers are are those whose latest recorded donation was 12 months ago.
– Some households may receive more than one donation during a month (eg, repeat donations of food).
– Items shown as 0 or as “…” are awaiting final returns for the month.

 
Previous month’s news, March 2022

Just three months after emptying their warehouse, the team at Billingshurst is now reporting that they have reached capacity again and are ready to send a lorry as soon as it can be accepted. In south Wales too we have received generous quantities of items, to the point where storage once again threatens to be a major concern.

Our activities in Romania are based in Dorohoi which is just 15 miles from the border with Ukraine at its nearest point; the official crossing points are further away but still within easy reach. Refugees from Ukraine are arriving in this area and there are many social organisations, church groups and individuals who are offering them help of various kinds. However, in a document of this type, it is impossible to give a detailed update on the situation as it evolves hour by hour.

Many refugees have arrived with only what they could carry. Thanks to the hard work and generosity of many people in the UK we have a stock of clothing, knitwear and bedding left after the winter, and some of these items have already been sent to those who are providing front line relief and addressing immediate needs. Several of our staff have friends and family who have contacts with other charities, and we have shared bedding and knitwear with them. Many of the arrivals prefer to head towards established Ukrainian communities further west but our help will continue to be offered to those who decide to stay in this area. Romania is on the eastern flank of both NATO and the EU. It is one of those countries where an aggressor might choose to test the resolution and abilities of those two organisations. This is an unsettling thought but we know that everything is still under God’s control.

During the past few days our activities have been focused on helping the women and children fleeing Ukraine (men are no longer allowed to leave). The accommodation at Casa Neemia has been rearranged so that we can offer a secure respite and hot meals to those who need them. For the most part, the refugees stay in our area for only a day or two, pausing for rest before continuing their journey to family and friends already established further west. We have been able to supply bedding, toys, and other items to many places that are offering this type of accommodation, including both charitable and municipal initiatives. A minority of refugees decide to stay in this area, feeling closer to their loved ones at home. We have been able to help prepare facilities for them too, as well as making our resources directly available to them as individuals.

Our special thanks go to all those who donated bedding, knitwear and other items throughout the past year; we are sharing them with several organisations that are providing temporary accommodation for refugees from Ukraine. We had no idea as to why we should have such a large quantity, but God knew there was a need coming.

Throughout February we continued to provide clothing, footwear and bedding to our ‘regulars’ plus to some new households. Items such as crutches, incontinence aids and wheelchairs are still in demand, as are toys and stationery. However, it remains to be seen to what extend we can continue to receive these items under the terms of the new regulations.

Some customs areas do not allow toys as essential aid – presumably those officials do not have children or grandchildren of their own!

This month’s featured photos

• Bedding from UK: ready for dispatch and delivery
• Volunteers greet refugees with blankets from RoAF-AN (© Star of Hope)
• A warm room was prepared by the Havirna council

Stats notes:
– Joiners are new registrants this month, Leavers are are those whose latest recorded donation was 12 months ago.
– Some households may receive more than one donation during a month (eg, repeat donations of food).
– Items shown as 0 or as “…” are awaiting final returns for the month.

 
Previous month’s news, February 2022

Packing sessions at Horley have restarted on Friday afternoons, with a moderate but consistent supply of items being donated. The Billingshurst warehouse was effectively empty after the December lorry but offers of duvets and sporting goods will soon restore the usual level of activity. In Swansea the state of the warehouse precludes the storage of most items during the winter so one of the first tasks will be consolidating the separate collections that have been kept safely in diverse locations.

Winter has finally arrived in this part of Romania, coincident with the return to school. A complication this year is that many schools that rely on central heating are having to restrict the heating in the classrooms; rural schools which still have wood stoves in the classrooms are better suited to the cold weather although the supply of wood remains a problem. We do still have a small amount of wood for the most needy households but the ability to help with other energy bills is extremely limited. However, we are able to continue to provide warm clothing and knitwear for those who request them, and we are grateful to those who have sent these items.

As mentioned last month, sponsorship from our UK teams allowed us to make up Christmas gift packs using goods acquired locally. Food packs were given to 153 households, a selection of treats to 70 families with children, and cakes to the residents at Casa Neemia. Four families with young babies received powdered baby milk in December and again in January, and one larger family receives a regular supply of fresh milk. The sponsorship was sufficiently generous to allow us to plan a similar food distribution at Easter and continue providing powdered milk until then.

Last year’s permit for importing goods from outside of the EU expired at the end of December. It will be necessary to renew the permit for this year; new procedures have been introduced which may reduce the range of goods that can be received without paying import taxes. It is also possible that each load will require a separate permit, adding to the complications. It is disappointing that our comparatively small aid activities are being caught up in regulations drafted for large commercial enterprises.

This month’s featured photos

• More help on its way

Stats notes:
– Joiners are new registrants this month, Leavers are are those whose latest recorded donation was 12 months ago.
– Some households may receive more than one donation during a month (eg, repeat donations of food).
– Items shown as 0 or as “…” are awaiting final returns for the month.

 
Previous month’s news, January 2022

Another year has passed, with its particular difficulties and successes. Despite lockdowns, travel restrictions and evolving bureaucracy, our teams were able to send 5 loads of clothing and other useful items. The old calendar is replaced by a fresh new one and after a short break the work resumes. Despite the problems of the past year, with its restrictions on movement and normal activities, even when at one point there was only one day’s stock remaining, nevertheless AN was able to continue to provide help to those in need around us.

We did not make the general distribution of Christmas boxes this year but we did deliver the family boxes intended for specific households as in previous years. After some 20 years of the ‘Joy in a Box’ scheme, its primary purpose of providing gifts for those who might not receive anything has been superseded by the ability of most households, schools and churches to provide gifts themselves for their children. However, those in the most need were not left out; specific sponsorships allowed AN to prepare some gifts for the most needy. Bags of ‘goodies’ were made up for children and a packages of food items were prepared for those families in the most difficult circumstances. For the children, the bags contained fruit, biscuits and chocolate items, together with a pack of face masks for the return to school. For households, the pack contained a selection of items including flour, sugar, oil, fresh fruit, tinned vegetables and domestic essentials. There were also some ‘Joy in a Box’ presents that did not make the final transport in time for last Christmas, and we were able to give these out too.

Earlier in the year, AN worked with a company that wanted to help a family whose house had burnt. The company could not give money directly but AN, as a recognised charity, acted as agent on behalf of the two parties. This is one example of additional services to the local community that can be offered beyond the basic distribution of aid.

Thank you for your support during 2021, let’s work together in 2022!

In the UK, new regulations were due to come into force on 1st January. This may mean changes to the types of goods that we can send. Once the situation becomes clearer we will update our advice to donors accordingly.

This month’s featured photos

• Christmas joy
• Gift distribution
• Winter’s here

Stats notes:
– Joiners are new registrants this month, Leavers are are those whose latest recorded donation was 12 months ago.
– Some households may receive more than one donation during a month (eg, repeat donations of food).
– Items shown as 0 or as “…” are awaiting final returns for the month.

 
Previous month’s news, December 2021

The day-to-day work of the AN team has continued this month with the distribution of clothing and household goods received from the UK. In addition, some supporters have taken a particular interest in one family or another and we are able to forward gift boxes sent specifically for those families.

Special funding during this month has allowed AN to purchase some locally-sourced foodstuffs to supplement the rice and other food received from south Wales. These items are always well-received and the effort involved in sending them is very worthwhile.

A major involvement this month has been the provision of an indoor bathroom and additional living space for a rural family. This project has been sponsored from the UK but AN oversees the workers and arranges for the materials as required. Whilst food and clothing are immediate essentials for many households, this type of project provides a long-term benefit for one family at a time.

The Europe-wide surge in energy prices has had a serious impact in Romania with almost all commodities reflecting the increased costs of production and transport. Many households will lack the resilience to cope with the rising cost of domestic energy once the colder months arrive.

The majority of rural households, and many urban ones as well, still depend upon firewood for heating and, in many cases, for cooking too. Some public buildings such as village schools also rely on firewood for heating. As previously mentioned, EU policies designed to protect the natural forests have made firewood both expensive and difficult to acquire legally. Nevertheless, specific sponsorship has enabled us to obtain a limited supply which we will be sharing with the most needy families.

In late November another load was been dispatched, combining the efforts of our Swansea and Horley teams. The use of pre-packed pallets simplifies the logistics of assembling the load prior to export, but the ease of documentation and handling has to be offset against a reduction in the quantity of goods in each load, when compared with loose-loading.

This month’s featured photos

• Family Support
• Home Improvements
• Food and Warmth

Last month’s performance statistics

These statistics give a snapshot of our aid-related activities last month.

Stats notes:
– Joiners are new registrants this month, Leavers are are those whose latest recorded donation was 12 months ago.
– Some households may receive more than one donation during a month (eg, repeat donations of food).
– Items shown as 0 or as “…” are awaiting final returns for the month.

Stats notes:
– Joiners are new registrants this month, Leavers are are those whose latest recorded donation was 12 months ago.
– Some households may receive more than one donation during a month (eg, repeat donations of food).
– Items shown as 0 or as “…” are awaiting final returns for the month.

 
Previous month’s news, November 2021

A load has been dispatched from the Swansea warehouse and preparations are well in hand for a second load to be dispatched from Billingshurst in the near future. This load will be a joint venture between the English and Welsh teams; we expect to send it in early December. The procedures for sending aid seem to have stabilised now and we anticipate more frequent loads next year. It is good to hear that the stocks are building up again in our warehouses, and we trust that any new anti-Covid restrictions will not compromise our ability to pack items and load lorries.

RoAF is one of the charities supported by this year’s Harvest service at Horley Baptist Church. We are grateful for the donations received and for an opportunity to publicise the ongoing needs in Romania.

RoAF is not actively promoting the Christmas gift box scheme this year as the bulk distribution via schools and churches is no longer appropriate. There is an alternative arrangement whereby the most needy families will receive a donation of food purchased in Romania. See the RoAF website if you would like to help.
We can accept a limited number of boxes specifically for named persons; they need to be with us by mid-November before the departure of the next lorry.

Romania continues to be in the grip of the COVID pandemic. Official figures published at the end of October showed an infection rate of 10·6 per 1,000 residents (the UK equivalent was shown as 8·5). These are national figures; areas of greater population density are generally higher. There is widespread scepticism about vaccines and, in the absence of a stable government, it is left to local authorities to enforce such restrictions as they think appropriate. Additionally, the concentration on COVID has diverted resources from treating other health conditions. Several people known personally to members of the AN team have died recently.

In addition to the health crisis, Romania is experiencing severe economic problems. Food is plentiful after the harvest but it is becoming increasingly expensive, with some items now costing 50% more than last year. Energy prices are out of control and unemployment is rising. These factors combine to ensure that there is no shortage of people asking AN for help. We are grateful for the loads received recently and are in a good position to help people with clothing and other household essentials. We can offer food including rice sent by the team in Wales and other food items acquired locally but firewood – essential for most rural households – has become difficult to obtain legally.

Not surprisingly, there are many requests for financial assistance. Items for donation remain free of taxes but items that are intended for the shop now incur an import duty. This, together with increases in AN’s own operating costs, means that our ability to help is very limited.

Update for our Knitters, November 2021: Please could you prioritise knitted blankets, including the ones that are made from small squares, for the next year or so. We would like the squares to be knitted together into practical blanket sizes as it is no longer practical for this to be done in Dorohoi. Please continue with scarves and hats for adults as well.

This month’s featured photos

• A Load from Swansea
• Preparing the Next Load
• Knitting from Hull Knitwits

Last month’s performance statistics

These statistics give a snapshot of our aid-related activities last month.

Stats notes:
– Joiners are new registrants this month, Leavers are are those whose latest recorded donation was 12 months ago.
– Some households may receive more than one donation during a month (eg, repeat donations of food).
– Items shown as 0 or as “…” are awaiting final returns for the month.

 
Previous month’s news, October 2021