Wednesday, May 16, 2012 -
Farmers affected by recent flooding and mudslides in southern Kyrgyzstan will be offered soft loans worth around $4,200, Kyrgyzstan’s premier said Wednesday.
Prime Minister Omurbek Babanov made the announcement during a trip to the south of the country where he visited Bazar-Korgon district of the Jalalabad province, one of the hardest hit areas.
“Each affected farmer will be allocated 200,000 soms [$4,200] one-time assistance in the form of a loan term of 20 years," said a government press release, issued to coincide with his tour.
Aside from the special loan, state authorities will extend interest rates on other loans and tax benefits to farmers.
Owners of arable land that were covered by mudflows will also be provided with free seeds for spring sowing.
Additionally, all households will be given access to building materials at discounted prices for the purpose of restoring their damaged properties.
More than 2,000 households in the region are in need of state support due to the severe rainstorms.
The ministry of emergency services is currently constructing flood water canals for future seasonal storms, the press release said.
"We need to strengthen preventive work to prevent natural disasters. The government will be given every assistance and support for the restoration of households," said Babanov, the KyrTAG news agency reported.
In a speech to the lower house of parliament Wednesday, Ministry of Emergency Situations Kubatbek Boronov estimated total flood and mudslide damage at around $5.7 million, the news agency reported.