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This ambulance, outfitted in PMR's red and green colors, are among several which have been donated to the country from Ireland

TIRASPOL (Tiraspol Times) - A huge shipment of humanitarian aid arrived in Tiraspol from Ireland Thursday to thundering applause. With local hospitals facing cutbacks, doctors and other medical staff at the Tiraspol Children's Hospital were relieved at the arrival of supplies, said to come just at the right time. Supplies at the hospital had been running low.

Opening a container full of high end medical aid, staff at the Children's Hospital smiled and let out cheers at the sight of the contents donated from EU member state Ireland.

A spokesman for medical charity East European Aid, who organized the shipment, told The Tiraspol Times that much of the equipment was sent to compliment earlier containers of humanitarian aid.

" - But this latest container is perhaps one of the best medical cargoes to leave these shores," said a director of the charity. He explained that the aid shipment included new medical consumable supplies, medical equipment, and even special hospital furniture.

" - The load also contains an ultra sonic scanner, an upgrade to previous models sent. And excellent theatre lights for surgical operations."

The aid from Ireland arrived just one day after PMR's parliament officially appealed for international assistance to cover a budget shortfall caused by the customs blockade imposed by its neighbors.

East European Aid has also delivered ambulances for Pridnestrovie, some of which are decked out in the red-and-green flag colors of the new and emerging country.

Economic blockade affects hospitals, schools

Supplies at hospitals in Pridnestrovie had been running low, following a series of funding cutbacks caused by an economic blockade put in place at the urging of neighboring Moldova.

For more than a year, starting 3 March 2006, Pridnestrovie has been the victim of a de facto blockade that is damaging the region's economy. With more than $500 million in losses, and a $100 million budget shortfall, the squeeze is felt at all levels.

Now, the authorities in Pridnestrovie are looking for the least hurtful ways of plugging the holes in the budget. Social programs have been hastily frozen and education spending has been slashed as a result of the blockade.

The move, coordinated between Ukraine and Moldova, has been criticized by Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov:
" - The blockade that has effectively been imposed on Transdnestr is an economic blockade that is hurting the region's economy and, needless to say, hurting its people," he said.

Ukraine toughened its customs regulations for exports from Pridnestrovie on 3 March 2006, requiring that they pass preliminary clearance in Moldova - a move which Tiraspol rightfully considered an economic blockade, pointing out that since 1997 an agreement to which Ukraine acts as a guarantor has provided the unrecognized country with an OSCE-brokered right to freedom in foreign trade.

The agreement, to which both Moldova and Ukraine are signatories, has not been rescinded. It is still in force but is not being observed by the two countries. For 2006 alone, export losses passed $500 million, according to PMR economics minister Helen Chernenko.

Pridnestrovie, which is also known under names such as Transnistria or Trans-Dniester, declared independence in 1990. The small country of 555,000 people meets the requirements for statehood under international law but has not been recognized internationally due to an unresolved territorial claim by neighboring Moldova.

See also:
» Pridnestrovie's parliament seeks foreign aid for budget shortfall [1]
» European aid workers welcomed as heroes [2]
» Europe helps PMR; aid shipment on its way [3]