Heavy rains in neighbouring Russia in late April, however, wreaked havoc in the district of Chelyabinsk, and flood gates were opened as a precautionary measure. The water surged down river into the Kustanai region of northern Kazakhstan, causing the Tobol to rise several metres above its normal level without warning. Four districts were devastated - Denisovsky, Zhitikarinsky, Taranovsky and Kustanaiski.

A total of 5,100 hectares of urban settlements and 5,760 hectares of farm land, already planted with crops, were flooded. About 10 per cent of the 542 damaged homes were completely destroyed, and about 90 per cent of the 2,500 affected families lost their food supplies. Many lost their livestock. The total cost of the damage is estimated to be approximately 1.5 million US dollars.

On the night of the disaster in Taranovsky, Ekaterina's husband saved her and their children by carrying them on his shoulders out of their house. They lost everything they possessed, including their home.

The whole community is joining together to help overcome the tragedy. "We have faced a severe disaster, but people are managing to cope with it," says Valentina Sosnovaya, disaster preparedness officer of the Red Crescent Red Cross Society of Kazakhstan (RCRCK). "Even in such a hard situation people help each other as best they can."

"The local RCRCK branch in Kustanai has been very active in providing assistance to the affected people," said Grant Hargreaves, of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' regional delegation in Almaty, after touring the flood-affected area. "But it is obvious that without outside assistance communities will suffer for many months or even years to come."

In a recently launched emergency appeal, the International Federation asked for 179,000 Swiss francs to set up a three-month programme of food and non-food assistance for 3,000 people affected by the flooding in the Kustanai area. Aid has already been given to 952 displaced people, and a further distribution of 500 mattresses, 900 quilts and 1,300 sets of bed linen is underway.

In four districts, 542 houses were badly damaged or destroyed. Many families lost their food supplies and livestock.

Without assistance, communities will suffer for many months or even years to come.

About 10 percent of the damaged houses were totally destroyed.