Kazakhstan Floods Situation Report #1 Date/Time March 13 2010

This report was issued by OCHA Sub Regional Office for Central Asia, based on information provided by Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and National Red Crescent Society. It covers the period from 11th -13 th March 2010 The next report will be issued on or around March15th.

I. HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES

• 5120 families displaced and 35 have been killed by fresh floods in Southern Kazakhstan • Government capacity is adequate but may require additional international assistance if situations deteriorates further.

II. Situation Overview

Heavy rains and precipitous snow melt over the last week have caused multiple floods and at least two dam failures in Southern Kazakhstan. Several villages and small towns in five districts of Almaty province: Karatal, Aksu, Kerbulak, Koksu and Uighur as well one provincial center – the city of Taldykurgan were affected by floods. As a result over 10,000 people were affected, 5,120 people were displaced and 35 have been confirmed killed. The worst affected is the village of Kyzyl- Agash (3,000 people) where most of deaths were reported, followed by Jybylak (820 people) and Kalinovka (600) and a number of smaller villages. In Aksu district 80% of houses were destroyed and all remaining houses damaged. Damage to public infrastructure and the economy includes the collapse of one major bridge on the Almaty-Ust Kamrnogorsk highway and partial damage to six smaller bridges. The railroad network in Southern Kazakhstan has sustained multiple damages and all railroad traffic is suspended until further notice. In addition, several animal farms have been destroyed and at least 4,000 heads of livestock were killed. The national hydro and meteorological services have issued a fresh warning (13.03.10) of high probability of further rains and new flash floods in mountainous regions of Almaty province in the next 3 days.

III. Humanitarian Needs and Response

Government has relocated some displaced families to public facilities (e.g schools) in Taldykurgan city and some other small towns in Almaty province, while others were moved to relatives and friends in the area. In Aksu district, government has set up a tented camp for 1,000 people and a field hospital. According to the Kazakh National Red Crescent initial reports, shelter conditions are still very basic, lacking flooring and protective materials. The camp does not yet have proper water and sanitation facilities. Mattresses, blankets, warm clothing and food are the priorities for the camp population. The Ministry of Emergency Situations has dispatched over 604 search and rescue personnel and over 136 units of special transport and heavy equipment to the area. The Ministry of Emergency Situations has further established a pontoon bridge and restored limited auto traffic between Almaty and East Kazakhstan. Local governments, together with the Kazakh National Red

The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors.

Crescent Society, are providing hot meals and medical services to the displaced population. The National Red Crescent society has been dispatching blankets (315), mattresses (300), kitchen sets (80) and other non food items (NFIs). IFRC and the national society are deploying needs assessment mission to the area to assess additional needs. Government has indicated that they may request international assistance for tents and NFIs.

IV. Coordination

The Ministry of Emergency Situations has set up a regional operation center for coordination of response under the deputy head of the Almaty province. Government has also set up a special commission under the Prime Minister to investigate the accident to develop plan of action to prevent further flooding in vulnerable areas.

V. Funding

Kazakhstan’s Prime Minster, along with a group of senior government officials, visited the affected areas and announced that families who lost their house would receive 121,000 Tenge ($835) for each member of the household. For each family member killed government would provide a one-time compensation of 500,000 Tenge ($3,120).

All humanitarian partners including donors and recipient agencies are encouraged to inform FTS of cash and in-kind contributions by sending an email to: [email protected].

VI. Contact Please contact:

The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors.

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