Romania ended the State of Alert on the 16 June after some of the restrictions had been lifted.  Schools and Universities opened partially, as well as shops and restaurants. Gatherings are now allowed for different activities with a maximum of 20 people for closed spaces, and 50 people outside.  Churches remain closed, however, people may still gather in church yards, respecting social distancing, and other rules.  Wearing masks, hand disinfection and temperature measurement in closed public spaces is compulsory.

By mid-June, Romania had 22,165 confirmed Covid 19 cases of which 15,817 were healed and released from hospitals. The number of deceased reached 1,427.

It is estimated that from the start of the pandemic approximately 1 million people have lost their jobs in Romania.  In this context, our Mission continues to provide substantial support to the vulnerable.  Apart from Christian Input gatherings, which are restricted, we organize all our activities according to careful planning.  Further, our coordinators continue to be of great comfort and help to our beneficiaries in our F2F, CRI in COMM, and Senior Care programs distributing monthly food and hygiene parcels.  The recipients are always very thankful for every item they receive, and the fact that coordinators ask them about how they’re coping and feeling.

Our communications department continues to work on annual updates, and the Bible Correspondence Courses are held on a regular basis.  Families from our F2F program which have now been supported for 4/5 years, and have demonstrated their ability to improve their standard of living, will further benefit during July through our Self-Sufficiency projects.  

Because of the restrictions, all four After-School projects now distribute food to children’s homes using volunteers.  Given that it is not known whether summer camps will be allowed during this summer, we have begun to plan day-camp activities for the second part of July.

Our access to the prison is still forbidden resulting in us being unable to organize our Prison Ministry project.

Romania’s economy has improved in recent years – but in rural areas where almost half the population live, a lack of infrastructure affects everything from schools to medical facilities.  

Romania remains one of the most corrupt countries in Europe, according to Transparency International, and it has also been singled out for criticism by Amnesty International for its prejudicial treatment of the Roma community, who make up as much as 10% of the country's population. 

Since 2007, over one million Romanians have emigrated in search of greater opportunities, including parents who leave vulnerable children behind. 

We work in Sighisoara, Blaj, Victoria and nearby villages in Transylvania, often in Roma communities, supporting families struggling in desperate poverty, helping them move towards self-sufficiency. We also support vulnerable children, run a prison ministry, and support a care home for the elderly.