Nursing Homes in Bihor: Government Allocates Over 19 Million RON for the 409 People Relocated by DIICOT

The Ministry of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity announced on Thursday that it is finalising preparations for a Government Decision to be put forward next week. This regulatory act will allocate over 19 million RON from the state budget to cover the care costs for the 409 people relocated following DIICOT's intervention in Bihor County.

The institution has also activated a crisis unit and made a telephone helpline available to families, through which they can obtain information about the situation of their loved ones.

Emergency meeting and coordination measures

The Minister of Labour, Dragoș Pîslaru, convened an emergency operational meeting on Thursday with members of the crisis unit established within the ministry, in order to continuously monitor the situation of the 409 people identified during DIICOT's intervention.

According to the ministry's statement, the meeting resulted in the establishment of measures to coordinate the national-level response, to support the relocated individuals and their families, and to assist the local authorities handling these cases.

From the day of the announcement, relatives of people who were living in the premises searched by DIICOT in Bihor can obtain information about their situation by contacting the ANPIS Call Centre on 021.9309. The ministry states that such information may only be requested by family members or next of kin.

Assessment of individuals and a technical support team

The Minister will issue an order establishing uniform measures for managing the situation at national level. The 20 general directorates for social assistance and child protection (DGASPC) that have taken in relocated individuals will be required to assess each person as soon as possible and to analyse the needs and resources necessary to ensure appropriate care and services.

The same order will establish a technical team within the Ministry of Labour to provide support and methodological guidance to all DGASPC units involved. Each directorate will also designate a person responsible for coordinating activities related to the relocated individuals, in order to ensure effective communication and a consistent response.

The DIICOT investigation: estimated damages exceed 13 million RON

Officers from the Criminal Investigation Directorate and DIICOT prosecutors executed 27 search warrants on Tuesday in Bihor County, at the homes of several individuals, at the registered offices of a number of legal entities, and at the premises of a public institution. The case concerns the formation of an organised criminal group, continued human trafficking, and aiding and abetting continued human trafficking.

According to the Romanian Police, the investigation aims to dismantle an organised crime group that allegedly exploited vulnerable individuals for financial gain, operating under the cover of a humanitarian and charitable association. The estimated damages amount to approximately 13.048 million RON.

Investigators allege that, under the guise of providing social, medical, care and protection services, the group misled donors, relatives and others wishing to provide such services, in order to obtain significant sums through donations, sponsorships and contributions, as well as from the victims' pensions, disability allowances, social benefits, fuel assistance payments, funeral grants and other social income or entitlements.