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Minister of Emergency Situations of Azerbaijan: â€œSome organizations conduct aid campaign, but there is no needâ€

12 May 2010 15:32 (UTC +04:00)

Sabirabad. Alibey Zeynalli â€“ APA. â€œWe have been working for the restoration of destroyed dam since May 7. About 300 meters of roads and dam were already restored. Floods were reduced in nine villages which population was evacuated. Probably the water flow will be prevented when the dam reinforcement is completely finished thereâ€, Minister of Emergency Situations of Azerbaijan Kemaleddin Heydarov told journalists, APA correspondent reports from the disaster zone.

The minister said successive work was conducted in Mursali village for several days. â€œPolice and emergency forces are reinforcing the dams there. Unfortunately soil of the dam over Kura and others was softened, which paved the way to floods and we were forced to evacuate people from nine villages. The restoration work was started there. We sent technical equipments there. We consider that the restoration work will be completed in two daysâ€.

Heydarov said there was no threat for nearby regions. â€œWe are analyzing the situation throughout Kura River beginning from its estuary. We learned the territory together with the local officials, emergency, water facility and melioration experts. There is no serious threat for nearby regionsâ€.

According to the Minister, two ships of the Caspian Sea Shipping Company are working in the delta.
â€œPreventive measures are being taken. But we do not expect big threat on the whole,â€ he said.

Kemaleddin Heydarov said the residents of 5 villages out of 9 would return home soon.
â€œThere was no flooding in these villages. We simply evacuated them taking into account danger. After the dam around Murselli village is reinforced, the water will be absorbed with 60 strong pumps. If there is no heavy precipitation, these people will be able to return to their villages,â€ he said.

The Minister also commented on the aid campaign launched by some organizations and individuals.
â€œAzerbaijani President visited the region, met with the evacuated people and gave instructions to us. The President said losses of every citizen would be compensated by the government. Some organizations have launched aid campaigns, there is no need for it. Under the order of Azerbaijani President, funds have been allocated to the Ministry of Emergency Situations. The people are provided with goods, materials, foodstuff, medical service. We are grateful to those organizations and citizens. But there is no need for it. The state itself will fulfill this mission,â€ he said.