Floods in Kazakhstan: protection measures in the Atyrau region, humanitarian aid, donations

The Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Olzhas Bektenov, during the meeting on April 29, instructed the administration of the Atyrau region to protect the city and nearby settlements from the approach of flood waters, as the water level in the Zhaiyk River is rising every day, the press service of the Prime Minister reported.

Bektenov instructed to set up work similar to that of the West Kazakhstan region, where for a long time intensive work has been carried out to protect the territory from floods.

"The flood situation is stabilizing in the West Kazakhstan region. I would like to note the coordinated work of all involved units. With joint efforts, it was possible to prevent the flooding of 84 settlements, to minimize the consequences of floods in the region. Now there is no new threat of flooding," Bektenov said.

The water level in the rivers of the East Kazakhstan region is below the critical level. The situation in the North Kazakhstan region is stabilizing.

According to Bektenov, 13,259 families have already received payments of $837 each. The volume of payments for dead livestock reached 278 million tenge (US$629,545).

More than 670 million tenge ($1.5 million) was allocated for the repair of 524 houses.

"Khabar" TV channel reported that the universities of Kazakhstan support flood victims in the West Kazakhstan region. On April 28, five universities of Shymkent delivered a cargo of humanitarian aid to Uralsk. The teaching staff of Almaty Kazakh National University named after Al-Farabi also sent 20 tons of food and basic necessities. West Kazakhstan University named after Makhambet Utemisov provided two dormitories for temporary accommodation of almost 600 flood victims.

"Our colleagues from other regions did not remain indifferent either. They provided us with humanitarian aid. We express our gratitude to all employees of the university, students and citizens of Kazakhstan who support us," said Zhanbota Yeshimova, an employee of West Kazakhstan University named after Makhambet Utemysov.

Following the instructions of President Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev, two well-known Kazakh businessmen Kairat Itemgenov, the main shareholder of Aq Niet Group LLP, and Almas Mynbayev, the chairman of Nomad Life and Nomad Insurance companies, demonstrated their philanthropic commitment by donating significant sums to the Qazaqstan Halqyna Fund. to eliminate the consequences of the flood. It is noteworthy that both Itemgenov and Minbaev are Forbes millionaires. Itemgenov allocated 1.3 billion tenge ($2.9 million), and Minbaev allocated 450 million tenge ($1 million).

Since April 1, the fund has received 4.7 billion tenge ($10.6 million) to help flood victims. Almost 500 million tenge ($1.1 million) were sent by individuals.

The Coca-Cola Company allocated more than 100 million tenge ($226,455) to purchase bedding, food and hygiene kits for flood victims.