New intervention equipment sent from Romania

Romania has shipped a new batch of intervention equipment to manage pollution in the Dniester River, in support of the authorities of the Republic of Moldova, announced the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Romania, Cristian-Leon Țurcanu.

According to the diplomat, the support provided to the authorities of the Republic of Moldova for managing the situation caused by the pollution of the Dniester River has continued through the dispatch of new intervention equipment and materials.


“The assistance consists of 4,090 kg of special absorbent material, 474 linear meters of absorbent booms and 3,752 meters of absorbent rolls, intended to limit the effects of pollution on the aquatic environment,” the official said.


The materials are supplied by the National Administration “Apele Române” (Romanian Waters), which has also sent a specialized team for their use in the field.

At the same time, the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations of Romania, through ISU Iași, ensures the coordination of the mission, the transport of equipment and the personnel needed to carry out the intervention.

This is the third shipment of aid offered by the Romanian side in the context of the Dniester pollution crisis, as part of joint efforts to protect the environment and reduce risks to the population.

Assistance provided through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism also continues to expand, adapting in real time to operational needs in the field for managing the emergency situation on the Dniester River.

European solidarity is reflected in a coordinated effort to support local intervention capacities: the Romanian water management module remains deployed in the affected areas, where specialists are working on the installation and monitoring of pollution containment structures. Their mission has been extended at least until the end of the week, to ensure full protection of water resources. Luxembourg will supply two high-capacity diesel generators (60 kVA), needed to support the continuity of technical and energy operations in the intervention areas.

The European Union has mobilized its strategic reserves of personal protective equipment (PPE) from Poland and Germany through rescEU, thus ensuring the safety of teams operating directly in the field.

The Dniester River was affected by contamination with an oil-based substance, following an attack on a hydropower plant in Ukraine by Russian forces on 7 March. The pollutant was discharged into the watercourse and began moving towards the territory of the Republic of Moldova, endangering aquatic ecosystems and water sources for riverside communities.

The authorities reacted immediately, mobilizing intervention teams and implementing complex measures to limit and monitor the pollution. These measures included the installation of filters and barriers to capture petroleum substances, continuous monitoring of water quality, and coordination with local authorities and emergency services to prevent the spread of contamination.

Under these conditions, water supply in several districts in the north of the country has been suspended.