The government of Kazakhstan has promised to provide 500 million tenge for humanitarian aid and reconstruction in the wake of intense flooding in three regions of Southern Kazakhstan on February 21, which destroyed 300 buildings and damaged nearly 3,000, reported Khabar.kz. In all 48 villages were flooded and nearly 13,000 people evacuated from the area. The flooding occurred as warm rain fell throughout the day and melted the unusually large amount of snow that had accumulated through the winter. Local commissions have been established to aid those without shelter and determine the extent of the damage and the total sum of its costs. Local authorities plan to appeal to the Department of Emergency Situations and the national government for that aid. Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Karim Masimov and the Minister of Emergency Situations Vladimir Bozkko visited the region to examine the damage. Rebuilding homes and schools are the government’s main priorities while local treasuries are responsible for rebuilding roads and gas supplies, the minister said, reported Khabar.kz.

This information was originally published on February 21 and 26, 2008.  (www.khabar.kz) .