The Romanian Aid Foundation & Asociatia Neemia

The need to comply with social distancing and health protection measures means that the preparation of our news updates has been adversely affected; in particular in the number of photos that we can take and in keeping up-to-date with our donation statistics. Normal service with be resumed – but when?

In the UK, work has started on reassembling the pallets of aid in accordance with the new labeling regulations. This is a time-consuming task and we are still unable to accept any further donations just yet. Our public packing sessions are still suspended and other donations must be by prior agreement only.

Our finance team has successfully completed the annual accounts for 2020 and they have been submitted to the Charity Commissioner. You should be able to source these on line by ‘find a charity’ on the gov.uk website using our charity number 1060828 (link). We benefited from two previous legacies which helped to support our work in Romania and, of course, we are grateful to those who have continued to support our activities during what has been a difficult year for many people.

In northeast Romania the late, hopefully last, vestiges of winter continue to delay the start of the Spring proper but preparations for the planting season are underway. However, for those with livestock, the season of new birth has begun, especially for the smaller animals. Fowl are laying again and new kids (four-legged ones) are arriving.

We continue to receive requests for help and we continue to help with the resources that we still have. During March we gave out nearly 1.5 tonnes of clothing, bedding and similar items, plus two dozen chairs and other furniture. The range of goods available is slowly being depleted but we trust that transport restrictions will be resolved so that our stocks can be replenished in due course.

We were able to distribute nearly two tonnes of assorted foodstuffs. The food came from local sources such as other organisations as well as from our own crops. We did receive some cash donations which allowed us to purchase some food locally. In all, the donations of food and goods during March were worth about £2,000.

The residents at Casa Neemia have continued to benefit from the preserved fruit and vegetables set aside last year. We hope to be able to repeat this success this year, using both the gardens at Casa Neemia for small crops and the larger plot at the warehouse for cereals.

The shop continues to cover its operating costs but there is very little surplus and cash donations still have to be tightly controlled.

This month’s featured photos

• Repacking pallets for transport
• A season for new life
• Home-grown produce

Photo Gallery: Click on any of the photos for enlargements, more details or similar photos.

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, March 2021

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.