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Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan: Floods Situation Report No. 1 - 11 Mar 2008

Attachments

This report is based on information provided by the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan and the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator.

HIGHLIGHTS

On 21-22 February 2008, as a result of the sudden increase in air temperature and heavy rains in the South of Kazakhstan, 48 settlements of the Sary-Agash, Ordabasyn, Aryss and Shardarya districts were flooded, leading to the death of one person and the displacement of more than 13,000 people.

The overall flooding situation remains a matter of concern for the immediate future. There is still a possibility of further floods along the Syr-Darya river basin in South Kazakhstan and Kzylorda provinces which might affect over 250,000 people.

SITUATION

1. On 21-22 February 2008, as a result of the sudden increase in air temperature and heavy rains in the South of Kazakhstan, which led to rapid snow melting and flood waters, 48 settlements of the Sary- Agash, Ordabasyn, Aryss and Shardarya districts were flooded. The South Kazakhstan region is the most densely populated region on the border with Uzbekistan.

2. The population was not prepared for the disastrous effect of huge masses of flood waters inundating their houses and destroying their assets and cattle. According to the data received on 4-5 March from the provincial government and local authorities, 2,383 houses were inundated; 298 houses, 8 schools, 2 primary medical centers and 2 bridges were destroyed and large portions of roads were washed out. One person died and more than 13,000 people were displaced. People also lost their belongings, basic necessity items, livestock, poultry and food reserves. In many villages the agricultural land and irrigation canals have been covered by mud and sand, which will make it very difficult to start the usual agricultural works in the spring. This could have some impact on household level food security of the affected population if not addressed in time.

3. It is estimated that the overall economic loss of this disaster amounts to approximately USD 130 million.

4. This disaster is the first of this scale in this region in almost 50 years.

NATIONAL RESPONSE

5. The Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) and the administration of the South Kazakhstan Province have established an Emergency Coordination Centre (ECC) at the provincial level chaired by the First Deputy Governor of South Kazakhstan. The Centre includes all relevant departments and services involved in emergency response.

6. In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, EEC mobilized a team of 1,380 rescue and relief people equipped with more than 200 units of motorized equipment, including 584 staff and 90 equipment units of fire departments, staff from the local department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and other government institutions.

7. Approximately 13,000 people were evacuated and accommodated in the nearby sanatoriums, with relatives and friends and in tented camps.

Contact Details:

Tel: + 41-22-917 12 34
Fax: + 41 22 917 0023
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only:
Tel. + 41 22 917 2010

UN Office in Kazakhstan
Mr. Haoliang Xu
Resident Coordinator
Tel: + 992 47 441 0680

OCHA Office in Almaty:
Ms. Gabriella Waaijman
Tel: + 7 727 2528 643
+ 7 777 7809 071
E-mail: waaijman@un.org

Mr. Ali Buzurukov
Tel: + 7 727 2528 643
+ 7 777 7809 073
E-mail: buzurukov@un.org (English and Russian speaking)

Desk Officers/Focal Points:

Ms. Séverine Rey (New York)
Tel. + 1 917 367 5336
Fax: + 1 212 963 3630
E-mail: rey@un.org

Ms. AoibheannO'Keeffe (Geneva)
Tel. + 41 22 917 4329
E-mail: okeeffe@un.org

Press Contact:

(Geneva)
Ms. Elizabeth Byrs
Tel. + 41 22 917 2653
Fax: + 41 22 917 0020
E-mail: byrs@un.org

(New York)
Ms. Christina Bennett
Tel: + 1 917 367 8059
Fax: + 1 212 963 1312
E-mail: bennett1@un.org

(Dubai)
Ms. Nadia Evans
Tel. + 971 50 227 9808
E-mail: evans2@un.org

Disclaimer

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
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