The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has decided to allocate funds to help eliminate the consequences of the massive floods in several regions of Kazakhstan, the bank said in an email to bne IntelliNews.
This year's floods became the largest natural disaster in the country over the past 80 years.
'Realizing the importance of the situation in Kazakhstan, we have provided financial assistance in the amount of $1 m to support the regions affected by the flooding,' said Nikolai Podguzov, Chairman of the EDB Management Board.
Vast amounts of floodwater destroyed villages and carried away livestock in March. Social media was filled with images of people clambering for safety onto the roofs of their homes as rescue helicopters circle above.
When spring arrives, Kazakhstan knows to expect runoff water from melting ice and snow, but this year has been a shock. Bridges have been destroyed, entire sections of highway are now underwater, hundreds of homes have been rendered uninhabitable, and many have been left without tap water and household gas. At least three people are believed to have lost their lives.
The floods that began earlier this month have affected at least seven regions, with the north hardest hit. The Emergency Situations Ministry said that as of March 29, around 4,700 people, including almost 1,700 children, have been rescued and evacuated. More than 500 residential buildings are flooded. In some regions, entire government buildings, schools and hospitals are flooded.
