OREANDA-NEWS. On 12 March 2008 UN experts presented their view on the emergency situation after the flood in South Kazakhstan that caused, according to some estimates, about USD 130 millions loss to the country's agrarian region. The practical vision of the problem was formulated during the visit of UNDP, UNICEF, UNHCR, OCHA and WHO experts to the field on 4-6 March, where they conducted an assessment of humanitarian needs of local population.

In their opinion, the local governmental agencies and Ministry of Emergency are taking appropriate measures to improve the critical situation in the region. Their timely action was pertinent to tackle the socio-economic problems arised as a result of the emergency and was key to initiate the rehabilitation of infrastructure destroyed by water.

However, according to the international experts, now it is becoming clear that with the sowing season looming over, the local residents remain vulnerable to the repercussions of the flood. Therefore, it is critical to concentrate the efforts of the state assistance bodies on the delivery of the agricultural necessities of the people. Furthermore, it is important to conduct the technical cleaning of the regional canals and reconstruct the roads and bridges destroyed by the disaster.