White Tsunami - Mugur Varzariu

It’s condemnable but this you can only realize if you visit the affected areas and witness the situation directly.

It wasn’t the abundance of snow that created the partial chaos. Strong winds and freezing temperatures left villages without electricity in some cases for weeks.
Strong winds combined with the snow blocked the roads and completely covered approximately 10-15 houses in each village. The rest of the houses received the snow as a blessing. Not as much because of what it means for agriculture, but for what some of the TV stations have irresponsibly prepared for them.

Tones of food in aid was distributed in these areas, where only the lazy villagers might have need it. It is fair to say that only they would benefit from the aid regardless of the season. It is also fair to say that there are larger communities in this country that starve all year-round. ‘Unfortunately’ it didn’t snow in those areas.

For four days I visited, one by one, the villages of Corbu, Casota, Vacareasca, Carligul Mare, Carligul Mic, Glodeanu-Silistea, Scutelnici and Arcanu.
I spent the night in Corbu and in Arcanu.

None in these villages truly needed the humanitarian aid orchestrated by TV stations for their own profit.
They needed electricity, access on the roads and few of them help to clear the snow from around the house.

While electricity and access was in the hands of the authorities and weather, the help to clear the snow was in the hands of their neighbors.
I witness entire villages fighting for the aid, but only 10-15 people in each village helping their neighbors.

The rest of them simply watched and even made fun of the gendarmes sent to do their neighborly job.

This story is dedicated to those that went and helped their neighbors in need and to those that didn’t wanted nor accepted any of the TV’s ‘dirty’ aid.
If shovels where the aid these people would be the only ones fighting for them.

ROMANIA – JANUARY 27: Air view of the snowed in areas in the South Eastern part of Romania, taken from a MAI helicopter delivering humanitarian aid to the isolated people in the city of Lehliu on January 27, 2012. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals. © Mugur Varzariu

CASOTA, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 14: Siriac Anica coming down from the roof of a snowed in house belonging to Dinu Elena in Casota. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

ARCANU, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 17: People from the village of Arcanu using a horse sleigh to carry the empty gas canisters to the nearby village of Scutelnici. The 7 km road linking Arcanu to Scutelnici and the rest of the world was completely blocked for car traffic for 18 days. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

Carligul Mare, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 15: Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

CORBU, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 14: Snowed in chicken barn, home at Viorica Munteanu in the village of Corbu, South Eastern Romania, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012 the day after more snow storms hit the area. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

ROMANIA – JANUARY 27: Air view of the snowed in areas in the South Eastern part of Romania, taken from a MAI helicopter delivering humanitarian aid to the isolated people in the city of Lehliu. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

Carligul Mare, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 15: Water wells completely covered by snow as seen in the village of Carligul Mare. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

CORBU - ROMANIA, February 14: Villagers dig in high snow to clear the access to a snowed in green house in the village of Cornu, Romania, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012 the day after more snow storms hit the area. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

CASOTA, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 15: Candles seen through the window of recently passed Tudor Voinea, 103. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

Carligul Mare, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 15: Situated on the outskirts of Carligul Mare, the household of Spiridon Marin (76) was completely covered by snow. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

CASOTA, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 15: dinner table as seen inside the house of Sendea Maria 83, in the village of Casota. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

GLODEANU SILISTEA, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 17: Teenagers playing in the snow. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

ARCANU, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 17: Kids at school in the village of Arcanu, preparing for a math test. The 7 km road linking Arcanu to Scutelnici and the rest of the world was completely blocked for 18 days. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

SCUTELNICI, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 15: Home at Zaharia Constantin 65, in Scutelnici, South Eastern Romania. Inmates from Jilava prison helped clear the snow from around his house. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

CASOTA, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 15: Orthodox icon hanging by the door as seen inside the house of Sendea Maria, 83 in the village of Casota. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

Glodeanu Silistea, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 16: Snowed in cemetery near Glodeanu Silistea. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

CORBU - ROMANIA, February 14: Firefighters and emergency services workers dig in high snow to clear the access to a snowed in house in the village of Cornu, Romania, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012 the day after more snow storms hit the area. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

Carligul Mare, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 15: Car, belonging to Lazar Vasile, 70 covered by snow, as seen in the village of Carligul Mare. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

ROMANIA Ð JANUARY 27: Air view of the snowed in areas in the South Eastern part of Romania, taken from a MAI helicopter delivering humanitarian aid to the isolated people in the city of Lehliu. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

ROMANIA – JANUARY 27: Air view of the snowed in areas in the South Eastern part of Romania, taken from a MAI helicopter delivering humanitarian aid to the isolated people in the city of Lehliu. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

CASOTA, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 14: Snowed in outside toilet in the backyard of Dinu Elena's house in Casota. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

Carligul Mare, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 15: Lazar Corina 66 walking on snow as high as her house, as seen in the village of Carligul Mare. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

Carligul Mare, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 15: Table as seen home at Simion Stefan in the village of Carligul Mare. Him and his son, Simion Mihai, helped all day clear the snow in the affected neighborhood. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

CASOTA, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 14: Elderly woman walking on the snowed in roads of Casota, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012 the day after more snow storms hit the area. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

CORBU, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 14: Home at Viorica Munteanu in the village of Corbu, Romania. She and her two daughters (Georgiana and Mihaela) lived without electricity for more than 2 weeks, following recent snow blizzards that affected the region. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

ROMANIA – JANUARY 27: Air view of the snowed in areas in the South Eastern part of Romania, taken from a MAI helicopter delivering humanitarian aid to the isolated people in the city of Lehliu. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

CASOTA, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 15: Sendea Maria 83, in the middle, reacts after receiving news from her daughter, currently living in Bucharest. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

CORBU, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 14: Viorica Munteanu trying to feed the snowed in animals in the village of Corbu, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012 the day after more snow storms hit the area. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

CASOTA, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 15: Toma Anghel (yellow jacket) and other man from Casota attend the funerals of recently passed 103 Voinea Tudor. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

Carligul Mare, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 15: Simion Mihai, helps getting food to the pigs of his neighbor Spiridon Marin. The pigs where just rescued after being covered by snow for 15 days. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

CORBU, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 15: laundry to dry in the backyard of a household in Corbu as seen early morning February 15, 2012. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

Carligul Mare, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 15: Simion Elena prepares food for the animals at candle light. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

SCUTELNICI, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 17: Guardian from Jilava Prison watches over as inmates help dig a house out of the snow which threatens to crush the home of 65-year old man Zaharia Constantin, in the village of Scutelnici, Romania, Feb. 17, 2012. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

ARCANU, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 17: Wintery picture hanging on the walls of the school in the village of Arcanu. The 7 km road linking Arcanu to Scutelnici and the rest of the world was completely blocked for 18 days. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

VACAREASCA, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 15: Kid seen on the snowed in roads of the village of Vacareasca. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

Carligul Mare, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 15: Situated on the outskirts of Carligul Mare, the household of Spiridon Marin (76) was completely covered by snow. The pigs and his chickens where buried alive for 15 days. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

ARCANU, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 17: Interior of the school in the village of Arcanu. The 7 km road linking Arcanu to Scutelnici and the rest of the world was completely blocked for 18 days. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

SCUTELNICI, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 15: Zaharia Constantin 65, in Scutelnici, South Eastern Romania, brings food to his animals. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

Carligul Mare, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 15: Simion Elena rushing dinner so that she can still take advantage of the last rays of light before sunset. Her husband and son helped all day clear the snow in the affected neighborhood. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

BUCHAREST, ROMANIA Ð JANUARY 27: MAI (Minister of Interior Affairs) helicopters taking off with humanitarian aid, from Baneasa airport. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

CORBU, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 15: Viorica Munteanu and two other villagers leaving early in the morning to catch a bus to Buzau. The recent snow storms left the village without electricity for more than two weeks. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

Carligul Mare, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 15: Elderly woman receives humanitarian aid as seen in the village of Carligul Mare. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

Carligul Mare, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 15: Simion Stefan enjoys dinner at cancel light after helping all day to clear the snow in the most affected households of his neighbors in the village of Carligul Mare. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

CORBU, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 14: Snowed in house in the village of Corbu, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012 the day after more snow storms hit the area. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

CASOTA, ROMANIA Ð FEBRUARY 15: Cristea Silvia 54, of roma origins, helps make the fire for Sendea Maria 83, in the village of Corbu, Romania. Too old to cut wood, Maria, seen in the middle, depends on her neighbors to lend her a helping hand. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

ROMANIA – JANUARY 27: Air view of the snowed in areas in the South Eastern part of Romania, taken from a MAI helicopter delivering humanitarian aid to the isolated people in the city of Lehliu. Snow as deep as 4.5 meters isolated areas of Romania, Moldova and Albania, and helicopters and army trucks were used to deliver food and medicine, and to transport sick people to hospitals.

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