ASTANA, 26 August 2024 (TDI): Key stakeholders in water and flood management from the Netherlands and Kazakhstan, including representatives from the Kazakh Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, and the Institute of Geography and Water Security, gathered for a training session on August 26.
The session aimed to exchange information and technology to enhance flood risk management (FRM) in Kazakhstan.
This event is part of an ongoing partnership between the two countries, following bilateral memorandums of understanding signed earlier this year, which emphasize continued cooperation in water management. The primary objective is to equip Kazakh institutions with advanced FRM technologies to better anticipate, respond to, and adapt to flood hazards.
Focus on Long-Term Flood Resilience
Dutch Ambassador Nicolaas Schermers, who attended the training, highlighted its importance for future cooperation between Kazakhstan and the Netherlands in water management.
“The purpose of this training is to strengthen our collaboration in water management. Kazakhstan has faced severe flooding, and the Dutch government has committed to supporting Kazakhstan with expertise. Experts have been sent to work alongside Kazakh specialists to mitigate flood impacts. Following the Prime Minister’s visit to Kazakhstan in May, we agreed to continue this cooperation. Today, additional Dutch experts are here to assist Kazakh authorities in implementing platforms that will improve flood preparedness, predict water levels, and take measures to reduce impacts,” Schermers said.
This effort builds on the support provided by the Netherlands during the emergency phase in April, when the Dutch Disaster Risk Reduction and Surge Support (DRRS) team collaborated closely with Kazakh authorities to map and anticipate flooding. The focus is now shifting from immediate response to long-term solutions, with plans to further implement FRM technologies later in 2024.
A Comprehensive Approach to Flood Risk Management
Fredrik Huthoff, Associate Professor of Hydraulic Engineering at IHE Delft Institute for Water Education and a key representative of the DRRS team, emphasized the complexity of flood risk management, which requires a multifaceted approach involving preparation, response, and long-term planning.
“Effective flood management starts with accurate information for decision-making. Improving flood prediction is crucial,” Huthoff noted.
He also stressed the importance of understanding flood frequency in specific areas to make informed decisions, such as the viability of agricultural activities in flood-prone zones. Reflecting on the unprecedented floods that struck Kazakhstan in April, Huthoff shared his observations from working with local authorities.
“I spoke with various authorities to understand their response given the extent of the disaster. We didn’t bring a perfect solution but listened to their challenges and sought ways to support existing efforts. During emergencies, introducing new methods can sometimes disrupt operations, so we focused on supporting current practices,” he said.
A key aspect of the collaboration is the development of predictive models and tools aimed at mitigating the impact of future floods.
