ASTANA: Key stakeholders 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 in Astana on August 26 for a crucial training session focused on flood risk management (FRM).
The session aimed to exchange information and technology to bolster Kazakhstan’s flood management capabilities.
This training is part of an ongoing partnership between the two countries, established through bilateral memorandums of understanding signed earlier this year. The collaboration is designed to provide Kazakh institutions with advanced FRM technologies, enhancing their ability to anticipate, respond to, and adapt to flood hazards.
Long-Term Focus on Flood Resilience
Dutch Ambassador Nicolaas Schermers, who attended the session, underscored the importance of this training for deepening the cooperation between Kazakhstan and the Netherlands in water management.
“The aim of this training is to reinforce our collaboration in water management. Kazakhstan has faced significant flooding, and the Dutch government has pledged to support Kazakhstan with our expertise. Dutch experts have been working with Kazakh specialists to mitigate flood impacts. Following the Prime Minister’s visit to Kazakhstan in May, we agreed to continue this partnership. Today, additional Dutch experts are here to assist Kazakh authorities in implementing platforms that will enhance flood preparedness, predict water levels, and reduce impacts,” Schermers stated.
This effort builds upon the Netherlands’ support during the emergency response phase in April, when the Dutch Disaster Risk Reduction and Surge Support (DRRS) team worked closely with Kazakh authorities to map and anticipate flooding. The focus has now shifted from immediate response to long-term solutions, with plans to further deploy FRM technologies later in 2024.
A Comprehensive Approach to Flood Management
Fredrik Huthoff, Associate Professor of Hydraulic Engineering at IHE Delft Institute for Water Education and a leading figure in the DRRS team, emphasized the complexity of flood risk management, which requires a multi-faceted approach involving preparation, response, and long-term planning.
“Effective flood management begins with accurate information for decision-making. Improving flood prediction is essential,” Huthoff noted.
He also highlighted the need to understand flood frequency in specific areas to make informed decisions, such as the sustainability of agricultural activities in flood-prone zones. Reflecting on the unprecedented floods that impacted Kazakhstan in April, Huthoff shared insights from his work with local authorities.
“I spoke with various authorities to understand their response to the disaster. We didn’t bring a perfect solution but listened to their challenges and looked for ways to support their existing efforts. During emergencies, introducing new methods can sometimes disrupt operations, so we focused on enhancing current practices,” he said.
A key element of the collaboration is developing predictive models and tools to mitigate the impact of future floods.
