The U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID-OFDA), is supporting Uzbekistan’s response to the partial collapse of the Sardoba Reservoir dam in the Syrdarya region that caused the displacement of tens of thousands of people in one of the country’s most important agricultural areas. USAID is providing $100,000 to a local organization to procure and distribute essential relief supplies to families affected by the disaster. At least four persons died as a result of the collapse and in subsequent relief efforts.

Heavy rain and strong winds led to the collapse of a part of the Sardoba Reservoir dam in Syrdarya region, south of Tashkent region, on May 1, 2020. In addition to the damage to households, social infrastructure, roads, energy, communication, and water systems, the flooding damaged the agriculture infrastructure in the area and affected cotton, grain, and melon crops that will have an adverse effect on farmers’ livelihoods and the region’s economy. 

 “My heartfelt sympathies are with the citizens of the Syrdarya region. The Government and citizens of Uzbekistan have quickly mobilized to address the consequences of this disaster,” said the U.S. Ambassador Daniel Rosenblum. “The U.S. Government is proud to provide support to families affected by this tragedy.”

With this funding, the U.S. Government will assist Uzbekistan in responding and recovering from the crisis by distributing food and other critical supplies to families in need who have been evacuated from their homes due to the burst dam. In addition to supporting immediate relief efforts, USAID partners with the Government of Uzbekistan to diversify the country’s economy and increase regional trade, address serious health threats, and build the government’s capacity to respond to the population’s needs.