Flooding has affected half of the regions of Kazakhstan. As a result, almost 100,000 people had to be evacuated from their homes. Despite the seriousness of the current situation, Kazakhs have been able to show their unity.
Now many are safe, and where the floodwaters have already receded, the process of returning people to their settlements is underway. Additionally, work has begun for commissions to determine damage to those affected.
As President Tokayev previously stated, all those affected will receive aid. The state will fully compensate for housing and property damage. Overall, some conclusions can already be drawn from the current situation.
Firstly, the authorities swiftly exerted maximum effort to evacuate citizens and combat the consequences of the floods. This was done using available internal reserves, the resources of which, apparently, are sufficient to respond to natural threats.
Secondly, the public did not stand aside and also became a key participant in countering the floods. Tens of thousands of volunteers are working in flooded areas and at aid collection points. Concerned citizens are proactively collecting goods for the victims and sending money to special funds.
Kazakhstani companies allocated funds in response to the government's call to help those affected by the floods. Among the largest sponsors were: the Samruk-Kazyna group of companies (15 billion tenge), the «Qazaqstan halqyna» fund (5 billion tenge), Tengizchevroil (2 billion tenge), and Chevron Corporation ($3 million).
Organisations such as Freedom Holding, Kazakhmys, KAZ Minerals, Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, Astana Motors, BI Group, Eurasian Resources Group, Allur, QazTehna and Qarmet, as well as banks Halyk, Kaspi kz, Jusan, CenterCredit, RBK and the Eurasian Bank also decided to help the victims.
Thirdly, political parties, public figures, and the intelligentsia took part in fighting the natural disaster not only financially or organisationally, but also on the information front. Trust in official data sources on the situation is being maintained, while fakes and disinformation are criticised and refuted in the public sphere.
Thus, solidarity contributes to the successful overcoming of the difficult flood situation. The unification of key political and public participants helps to mobilise all potential forces and resources. We hope for a swift end to the floods in Kazakhstan and for the minimisation of their consequences.