Romanians show solidarity after Colectiv fire. How can you help?

In an unprecedented solidarity movement, Romanians joined hands to support those injured in the disco fire that killed 32 last weekend in Bucharest. The Internet played a significant role, and notably social media – Facebook – where Romanians spread the word about what needs to be done to help the injured, their families, doctors, and relatives of those who died. People rallied and brought food and drinks to doctors and nurses in the hospitals where the injured are treated, to those who came by hundreds to donate blood, as well as to families in these hospitals’ waiting rooms. Many companies also pitched in with food, drinks, free accommodation, free plane tickets, free car rides, medicine. A a list of companies and what they offer for free in the Colectiv fire aftermath is at the bottom of this article. The word quickly spread online on what resources are needed to help. Romanian media also helped out. ProTV channel and the NGO Crucea Rosie (Red Cross) started a fundraising campaign, and so did the Antena TV station, which organized a hotline over the weekend. How to contribute? ProTV and Red Cross campaign If you are in Romania and have a local phone number: - Text to 8824 (2 euros/text) to support donations to hospitals: special mattresses and medical device for burn victims. - Text to 8827 for drugs and anything else needed in hospitals, as well as to home support for the survivors. Numbers are reachable from Orange, Telekom and Vodafone. If you are abroad (even if have a Romanian phone number, as the special numbers don’t work while in roaming) - Wire money to any of these accounts • RO22BRDE410SV18508914100 - for EUR • RO37BRDE410SV81385954100 - for USD • RO36BRDE410SV29647144100 - for LEI SWIFT code: BRDEROBU, Red Cross Romania accounts. The Mereu Aproape Foundation and Antena TV station also organized a donation campaign: Text to 8848 – 2 euros/text message – only for Romania Or Call 0 900 900 301- 10 euro/call 0 900 900 303 – 3 euro/call 0 900 900 305 – 5 euro/call For those who are abroad Via Paypal, by mentioning the name Colectiv By bank wire RON: RO 05 BRDE 450 SV 0729 533 4500 Euro: RO 31 BRDE 450 SV 2376 153 4500 GBP: RO 69 BRDE 450 SV 4251 960 4500 SWIFT BRDEROBU, Fundatia Mereu Aproape accounts; mention

Romani impreuna

on the wire statement. The foundation raised some EUR 800,000 so far, and has allotted some RON 10,000 for each family who lost someone in the fire. Companies that offered help