The European Commission is funding food and medical aid worth 500,000 ECU for Romanians living in institutions such as orphanages and old people's homes. The aid, to be channelled via the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) will enable Malteser Hilfsdienst (Germany) to work with its local equivalent, the Serviciul de Ajutor Maltez en Romania.

They plan to deliver 280 tonnes of emergency supplies, food and medical, to about 50 hospitals and health institutions.

The products are intended to provide supplies for Romania's poorest inhabitants, including the sick, the elderly, the disabled and orphans living in institutions which are badly run down because of chronic underfunding. This project is expected to last six months.