Giovanni Zambello, IFRC
Torrential rains during the night of 16 October resulted in massive flooding of houses and agricultural lands, as well as in the destruction of infrastructures in parts of Krasnodar, a region in the south of Russia.
According to the Russian Red Cross branch in Krasnodar, at least 14 people have died, 9 are missing, and 300 – of which 70 children, have been evacuated. A total number of 48,300 people have so far been affected, but this figure is likely to increase as the flooding continues.
The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) reports that eight houses have been completely destroyed, 134 have been flooded in Tuapsinsky District, and some 400 have been partially damaged in Apsheronsky District.
On 25 October, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies released nearly 90,000 Swiss francs from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund to support the Russian Red Cross in providing assistance to some 600 families (5000 people) in 22 villages in the Tuapsinsky area over the next four months.
Since the first hours after the disaster, Russian Red Cross staff and volunteers in the Krasnodar region has been active in the disaster response operations, conducting needs assessments and assisting EMERCOM with search and rescue operations.
“We are waiting for people to come and help us. We will not be able cope on our own. Everything’s destroyed, nothing is left in the house,” says Alexey Sheynov, a retired inhabitant of the village of Krivenkovskoe.
Thanks to its small emergency stock of water cans, blankets, plastic tents, kitchen utensils and bed sets, the Krasnodar Red Cross branch has the capacity to provide some immediate disaster response. As soon as it gets support from the Russian Red Cross headquarters, goods will be distributed by the Red Cross volunteers to the affected population. But these stocks will cover only a small part of the needs, which include food and hygiene articles, which the branch does not have.
“Yes, we are getting aid but it’s not enough! No food, no blankets! How are we supposed to live here?” complain the affected people of the village of Kirpichnoe in Tuapsinsky District.
The group of 40 volunteers directly involved in the relief activities will be provided with first aid kits. A small induction will be held to prepare the relief distribution as well as the provision of psychosocial support.
Needs also include medicine, water containers, blankets, pillows, mattresses, cots and rubber boots, items which can be purchased locally.