Petrom supports the Romanian Red Cross in the disaster preparedness campaign

• Over 30.000 persons will be prepared on preventing severe effects of natural disasters
• An awareness campaign worth 120.000 Euro, financed in full by Petrom
• 900,000 Euro allocated by Petrom to support the Red Cross actions in 2005
• Petrom, by means of the Petrom Move and Help Program and the Romanian Red Cross continue their successful partnership initiated in 2005

Petrom, the largest oil and gas group in South Eastern Europe, by means of the Petrom Move & Help Program, together with the Romanian Red Cross will develop the National Disaster Preparedness Campaign, a project aiming to foster a culture of preparedness and risk mitigation within the communities vulnerable towards natural disasters. Petrom is financing in full the education and awareness campaign for the two-year pilot project of this campaign, with a total value of 120.000 EUR.

“We believe that by joining efforts with such an experienced and prestigious organization as the Romanian Red Cross, we can make a difference in the life of the communities exposed to natural disasters risks. Petrom is a company with a strong commitment to values as health, safety and the environment, and we will continue to be actively involved in social responsibility projects.” stated Mr. Gheorghe Constantinescu, Chief Executive Officer of Petrom.

With a view to prevent catastrophic consequences such as those generated by last year’s floods, Petrom and the Romanian Red Cross have initiated the Disaster Preparedness Campaign. As the first stage of the campaign, a pilot project will be developed in Prahova, Dambovita and Arges regions. These three counties have been identified as presenting a major risk for natural disasters.

Starting with April 2006, the population in these targeted areas will have access to essential guidelines on how to cope with natural disasters. Red Cross volunteers will organize disaster prevention education sessions for local community leaders and general population in over 200 settlements, while information materials will be distributed at local authorities’ headquarters and other public institutions. As well, advertisements and campaign flyers will be placed in 9 local publications from the three counties. Moreover, 29 Petrom stations in the three counties will function as info centres, as information will be disseminated to customers via flyers and posters.

The Disaster Preparedness Campaign will reach approximately 30.000 citizens from Arges, Dambovita and Prahova counties, informing them on essential measures that can be taken in order to save their lives and to minimize the loss of assets in case of natural disasters as floods, fire, earthquakes, earth flows and tornados.
 
“Information and education of local community members are essential for preventing the negative effects of natural disasters. We are confident in the success of this campaign and we rely on the professionalism and dedication of Romanian Red Cross specialist”, added Mr. Constantinescu, CEO of Petrom.

The joint initiative of Petrom and the Romanian Red Cross emerged further to the successful co-operation started last year, when Petrom contributed substantially to the relief programme developed by the Romanian Red Cross for the floods victims. In 2005, Petrom offered financial support for 140 temporary shelters and first aid supplies with a total value 900.000 EUR. All the funds and supplies donated by Petrom were managed by the Romanian Red Cross and directed to the worst affected areas in Romania.

Background information
Petrom SA
Petrom is the largest Romanian oil and gas group, with activities in the business segments of Exploration and Production, Refining and Petrochemicals, as well as Sales and Marketing. Petrom has estimated oil and gas reserves of 1 billion boe, an annual refining capacity of 8 million metric tons and around 550 filling stations in Romania. The company also has an international network with 82 filling stations located in Moldova and Hungary. This network was increased by 178 OMV premium stations in Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia-Montenegro, acquired in January 2006. In 2005 the turnover of Petrom was EUR 2,970 million, EBITDA was EUR 766 million. Following the share capital increase OMV, the leading oil and gas group in Central Europe holds a 51,011% share in Petrom. OMV is active in Refining and Marketing, Exploration and Production, Gas as well as Chemicals in 28 countries on five continents. The Romanian state holds 30.862% of Petrom shares, Property Fund SA holds 9,887%, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, 2.026% and 6.214% are owned by minority shareholders.

The Romanian Red Cross
Established in 1876, the Romanian Red Cross, member of the International Red Cross Movement, is a humanitarian organization of national interest, based mainly on voluntary service. Led in its humanitarian activity by the Fundamental Principles of the Movement – Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity, Universality – the Romanian Red Cross contributes to the alleviation and prevention of any forms of suffering, protects health and life, ensures the respect for human dignity, without any discrimination as to nationality, race, gender, religion, age, military, social or political affiliation. Its main areas of activity are: disaster preparedness, health education, dissemination of international humanitarian law and humanitarian values.