Romanian Aid - Northern Ireland was established in 2003. The founder members have up to seven years experience of aid work for and in Romania.  An exploratory trip to Dorohoi in May 2003 as part of the RoAF Supporters' Visit resulted in the formation of the new group.  Members were introduced to the work of RoAF, Asociatia Neemia and the Centre of Hope in Dorohoi, and quickly agreed to work in support.

Whilst Romanian Aid - Northern Ireland retains a separate identity and its own management committee, the relationship with RoAF is strong. The group has adopted the familiar RoAF family logo (with crosses in green) in recognition of the close working relationship.

At the outset the Northern Ireland team focused its fund-raising efforts towards paying for an additional aid lorry delivery in order to help maintain stocks in the Dorohoi "deposit". The warehouse storage facility can lie almost empty for periods awaiting deliveries from the UK and it was felt that an additional delivery would benefit those in need who wait patiently for aid to arrive.

Fund raising activities have included appeals to businesses and churches, a street collection, and sponsored events such as the "Boxing Day Dip" when members braved the icy waves of the Irish Sea. Sandra Armstrong, the group's Treasurer, commented  "We endured the cold for a few minutes. This is nothing compared to the harsh winter conditions endured by the people of Northern Romania."

The group collected over 100 boxes for the "Joy in a Box" scheme in 2003 and supplied 188kgs of surgical instruments.

In January 2004 the Northern Ireland team achieved its target to enable payment for an extra aid delivery. The fund raising will continue and any additional funds will be taken to Dorohoi.

A team of 6 members visited the Centre of Hope in May 2004. Colin Reid, the group Secretary, writes  "We very much appreciate the encouragement and assistance of RoAF members during our first year of existence as RANI.  With God's help we have achieved a great deal and in a way RANI owes its existence and its close relationship to RoAF to a single telephone call responding to our enquiry about the supporters' visit. We sometimes forget just how powerful a kind word can be!"