During the first month of flood response operations in the Republic of Dagestan, more than 10,500 people received support fr om the Russian Red Cross (hereinafter RRC). The organisation delivered over 350 tonnes of drinking water and 55 tonnes of food and essential supplies to affected communities. Psychological assistance was also provided to more than 2,000 people, including 526 children.
The RRC has been engaged in the emergency response from the very first days in the Makhachkala, Khasavyurt and Derbent districts of Dagestan. The focus was on key areas, including supporting emergency services in the evacuation of residents, recovery efforts, humanitarian and psychological assistance, as well as public health and awareness activities.
The RRC mobile aid stations were deployed in the Derbent District near the settlement of Mamedkala following the dam breach. Over the course of a month, they served as a volunteer coordination hub, a collection centre for technical equipment used in flood response operations, and a platform for consolidating humanitarian assistance. The operations were carried out in close coordination with the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia, the authorities of the Republic of Dagestan, and other volunteer organisations operating locally.
“The flood response demonstrated a high level of coordination. The Russian Red Cross operations in the region involved thefederal emergency response team, the Dagestan regional branch, and the Chechen regional branch. They worked in close contact with the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia, with more than 1,100 volunteers, including 22 psychologists. It is important that almost all volunteer organisations joined the recovery activities, and people across the country responded. It is precisely this unity of effort and shared commitment that are key factors in effectively overcoming the consequences of emergencies,” said Pavel Savchuk, President of the Russian Red Cross.
To support flood response operations, the RRC provided volunteers with nearly 500 pieces of equipment, including motor pumps, generators and water pumps. At the Mamedkala field coordination site, a repair point was set up for volunteer equipment. The RRC staff and volunteers took part in clearing river channels, pumping out water, and drying 24 households and 67 houses. They also drilled and commissioned a water well to provide residents with clean drinking water.
“In the Republic of Dagestan, an interagency operational headquarters is coordinating all response activities, including cooperation with the Russian Red Cross. The headquarters addresses emerging issues on a daily basis and takes decisions on support measures for affected population. Together with volunteers, water was pumped out of basements in residential buildings and critical social facilities, premises were cleared of silt, and damaged structures were reinforced or dismantled wh ere necessary. Disinfection of buildings and surrounding areas is also ongoing. Currently, personnel of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia have completed search and rescue operations and are now focused on providing targeted assistance to residents, including responding to requests. Volunteers from a number of organisations, including the Russian Red Cross, are involved in these activities,” said Alexey Kostrubitsky, Head of the Interagency Operational Headquarters and Deputy Head of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia.
In mid-April, due to a high risk of infectious disease spread, sanitary teams were organized. Volunteers are carrying out door-to-door visits, disinfecting homes and informing residents about measures to prevent infectious diseases. Information materials were prepared jointly with the Ministry of Health of Russia and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Dagestan. The Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia in the Republic of Dagestan provides volunteers with personal protective equipment and necessary supplies. Volunteers are coordinated by field coordinators and follow all safety protocols. So far, the RRC public health outreach activities have reached more than 7,000 residents.
At the end of March, the RRC launched a nationwide fundraising campaign in response to the long-term nature of the flood impacts. Over 35 million rubles have been raised so far, and fundraising continues. The initiative has been actively supported by the RRC partners and private individuals through donations of food, hygiene kits and drinking water, as well as collection drives on their platforms and proceeds from football matches. Supporters of the campaign include Sovcombank, the beauty retailer Zolotoye Yabloko, X5 Group Foundation “We Help”, RWB, Beeline, as well as regional partners.
The response is shifting from emergency operations to recovery. Current priorities include drying homes, supporting people’s return to normal life, and ongoing psychological support.
