Romania is facing its worst flood in almost 50 years due to continuous heavy rainfall. The disaster has hit 31 of the country's 41 counties in the past two weeks. Over 11,000 people in 108 cities and towns have already been evacuated. Hundreds remain isolated. More than 550 bridges and power lines have been destroyed and 106 towns are without electricity. The government has confirmed at least 20 deaths. The country has asked the eu for reconstruction aid; it wants to join the bloc in 2007.

The government has announced an emergency spending of us $10.2 million to tackle the situation. It is seeking to rebuild bridges and roads destroyed in the flood. Last month, it had revised its budget and allocated us $136 million for aid in view of the floods in the western Banat region.