Kazakhstan is in the midst of one of the worst natural disaster in the country’s history.
Due to rapid snowmelt and torrential rains, a catastrophic flooding impacted different regions across the country. Infrastructures were brutally damaged, families uprooted and ten of thousands homes destroyed.
Since March 2024 Northern and Western Kazakhstan has been awfully affected by the floods. Dams were breached and reservoirs overflowed, causing widespread devastation and displacing over 119,000 people, including 44,000 children.
The most affected areas include Abay, Akmol, Aktobe, Atyrau, West Kazak, Karagandy, Kostanay, Pavlodar, North Kazakhstan, and Ulytau. Local governments have declared a state of emergency in 10 out of 17 regions in the country, launching massive relief and rescue operations. Despite the uninterrupted efforts to disinfect affected zones and pump water, the magnitude of the calamity remains colossal. In fact, while 61,000 people have returned to their homes, 53,000 are staying mostly with relatives and 5,000 people are still in temporary accommodation.
Furthermore, as a result of heavy rainfall and rising river levels the threat of further flooding continues.
The situation in Atyrau reached its peak on May 24, when a dam broke down, requiring the erection of another protective structure and the deployment of supplementary equipment. Here, roadside erosion has left communities completely isolated, preventing them from reaching the centre of the region except by a boat service established to connect residents of Inderbor village.
Nineteen families, comprising approximately 130 individuals, are temporarily housed in a school, lacking resources for renting accommodations or relying on relatives.
The floods have permanently scarred thousands of Kazakhstanis, with many families losing their homes, possessions, and sense of security. Months after the disaster, victims are still waiting for state compensation, including new housing for those whose homes were destroyed.
Emergency Services are closely monitoring water levels, maintaining and reinforcing dams and delivering essential services. Thousands of volunteers have mobilised to gather and distribute relief supplies, including food, clothes, mattresses, hygiene kits, and rubber boats.
Caritas Kazakhstan is working to respond to the crisis by collaborating with local and international actors. An emergency coordinator has been sent to the western region to ensure effective assistance delivery. Caritas Asia will support them, through its Regional Emergency Support Mechanism (RESUM), providing technical assistance and enhancing the capacity of Caritas Kazakhstan.
The partnerships with the United Nations Development Fund and the Kazakhstan Red Crescent help support their efforts, identifying food and WASH needs (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), as NFI (Non-Food Items), distributing aid to 3,500 people in the Aktobe region.
The need for support is tremendous. We are now appealing to our global community to help us raise funds for emergency relief to assist those affected by the floods. Your donations will be used to help provide essential supplies like food, clean water, clothing and hygiene kits as well as to assist in the reconstruction of homes and the restoration of livelihoods.
Your support can make a significant impact on those affected by disasters. Every small donation helps provide essential aid to the most vulnerable people.