Over the summer we will have a series of ‘Updates from the field’ We will hear directly from National Directors of partner programmes about the challenges faced in the field and learnt how Habitat’s vital work continues to reach families and communities. These sessions include a 30 minute update followed by a short time for questions.

Update from the Field Romania

Habitat Romania’s National Director Roberto Patrascoiu thanked donors and volunteers from across Ireland for their partnership and support for more than 21 years. He provided an update on recently completed projects including 10 homes in Vaideeni, 36 homes in Bacau as well as the Buftea Educational Centre which were all supported by volunteer teams from across Ireland. He also reported that the Medias Inclusion Centre which was completed in 2019 is now fully operational and providing much needed support for the most vulnerable in the community.

Roberto shared how COVID-19 continues to impact communities in Romania and highlighted how staying safe at home is almost impossible for millions of Romanians who live in substandard housing without access to water and sanitation.

Looking ahead Habitat Romania will continue to deliver affordable homes and they plan to build more than 38 homes over the next year. Sustainable community projects will include building a canteen to extend the reach of the Buftea Community Centre as well as continued partnership with SOS Children’s Village in Bucharest.

Effective advocacy is critical and Habitat Romania is helping lead a National Housing Coalition to ensure pro-poor changes to the Housing Act and lobbying to include Housing in the EU Structural Funds 2021-27

The completion of the Emergency Centre in Moinesti, which will enable medics and ambulance crew to reach the community of 65,000, is a priority. The sub-structure and the super-structure including the roof are complete but more funding is needed etc. The sub-structure and the super-structure including the roof are complete but more funding is needed to complete the rest of the building and have it operational to reach the community both during the pandemic and beyond.