Collaboration between Civil Society and Government Authorities

Importance of close collaboration

Here in Siret, the situation is rapidly changing and complex.  In order to best serve the people arriving through the border, it is extremely important that there is a good coordination and teamwork between the governmental authorities and civil society actors.  This builds trust, confidence and security for the refugees, who have just been through a very chaotic, traumatising experience.  Lack of communication, disorganisation on the other hand may only increase the sense of disorientation and fear that the refugees arrive with.

It is important to understand, respect, and work within the framework of a clear chain of command.  The role of the civil society is to assist and enhance the services provided by the Romanian state, but the state is providing the overall leadership and management of this humanitarian operation.  It is important to cooperate well with the government authorities and not overstep their leadership role. Together, we can create a positive, warm, welcoming first impression of Romania for the refugees.

Overview of the governmental structures involved in the relief effort:

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is the entity overseeing, among other things:

•  Department of Emergency Situations (D.S.U. Departament Situatii de Urgenta) headed by Dr. Arafat
  • IGSU (Inspectoratul General pentru Situatii de Urgenta) – Inspectorate of Emergency Situations headed by General Iamandi
    • IJSU (IJ) (Inspectorat Judetean pentru Situatii de Urgenta)  Inspectorate of Emergency Situations on County Level – headed by Colonelul Ghiata IJ Suceava
• Border Police ( Politia de Frontiera)
• Military Police (Jandarmarie)

Top Authorities

So the top commander and in-charge of the Siret Border Response is Dr. Arafat, who is in charge of the entire operation on the national level.

However, here in Siret, the highest commander is the head of IJ for Suceava county,  Colonelul Ghiata. 

On the political level, the president of the county council (presedinte consiliului judetean) is Gheorghe Flutur, and Prefect Alexandru Moldovan are the highest officials representing the civil society on the Suceava county level.

Management in Siret is divided into three major areas, which have managers for each of the positions in red in the organigram above.  The people in-charge of these roles rotate with a day shift and a night shift, and most rotate on a weekly basis on Sundays.  In order to obtain help in any of the areas listed, please come to the command center that is next to the customs point entry, in the big building on the right side.  For problems that happen within the perimeter, talk to members of IJ / IGSU / Jandarmarie or come directly to the command center, for problems that occur outside of the perimeter, contact 112.

It is important to be well-informed about the services available within the perimeter in order to be able to respond to questions or needs that arise from the refugees. However, when the refugees ask a question and you don’t know or have the information available, tell the refugees you will find out within a specified timeframe (5 minutes, 15 minutes) and even if you don’t have the answer by that time, check in with them to let them know that you are still looking for the answer, or unable to find it.

• Operational Coordination

  • Reporting and Synthesis
  • Integrated Operations

• Integrated Logistics Operations

  • Management of Transportation
  • Shelter Management
  • Stocks Management
  • Cooperation with Volunteers

• Support

  • IT + administration

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