We are continually reminded of the immense forces at work in na tural phenomena as, relentlessly, different parts of the world are struck by catastrophe, and popula tions suffer the devastating effects of famines, floods, hurricanes, tidal waves and so on. As men and wo men we are sorry for the victims and, perhaps, relieved that we per sonally have not been involved. But the recent earthquake in Romania touches us also as physicists. In addition to the direct human suffer ing experienced by

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... people of Romania and the deprivations that result from the destruction of buil dings and the interruptions to es sential services, the physicists of Romania have lost much precious equipment and this will be a serious setback to the progress of their re search. This is an occasion when we, as members of EPS, should show the solidarity of European physicists and, in addition to offering our sym pathies to our Romanian colleagues, we should try to help them in whatever way we can, to enable the practising physicists and students of that country to continue with their work. There are many ways in which this can be done, and I have pro posed to our President, Professor I. Ursu -and I have the full sup port of Council and the Executive Committee -that the EPS should act as a centre to channel aid to those in need. I appeal to all our members to consider what assistance they might give and to inform the EPS Secre tariat as soon as possible of the form this could take. Gifts of both money and equipment are required urgently. I am sure that I have no need to remind you that we are none of us immune from disaster.