Assistance in Almaty: Volunteers Aiding Individuals Amidst the Pandemic Crisis

Assistance in Almaty: Volunteers Aiding Individuals Amidst the Pandemic Crisis

In the heart of Kazakhstan, the city of Almaty witnessed a remarkable display of community spirit during the COVID-19 pandemic. Volunteer organizations, both state-supported and grassroots, played a significant role in providing assistance and support to the city's residents.

One of the most notable initiatives was the BizBirgemiz volunteer movement, launched under the government's auspices during the pandemic. This movement mobilised volunteers for various charitable activities, working closely with charity foundations and public figures to organise aid distribution and support events [1].

These volunteer groups were instrumental in addressing the pandemic's challenges. They organised charitable events such as fundraising galas and auctions to provide material support, including housing and essential goods [1]. They also supported digital literacy and public education efforts, facilitating vulnerable groups' adaptation to new technologies during the pandemic [2]. Furthermore, they assisted health communication efforts by monitoring public health information and combating misinformation online [3][5].

While specific grassroots activities are limited in search results, the BizBirgemiz movement underscores the state-coordinated volunteer efforts designed to provide social support and mobilise resources rapidly during the crisis [1]. However, it's important to note that some charity organisations linked to volunteer movements faced controversies, including allegations of financial misconduct [1].

Despite these challenges, volunteer organisations complemented institutional efforts by mobilising community resources and helping vulnerable populations. Over 15 volunteer organisations joined the "Who, if not me" kindness campaign, covering 14 cities in Kazakhstan [4]. LIDER.KZ volunteers, for instance, delivered around 4,000 food sets to needy families in the Almaty region and provided free medications to those in need [4].

Throughout the city, charitable and volunteer organisations, along with city sponsors, patrons, and entrepreneurs, provided assistance to over 80,000 needy people, totalling 1.9 billion tenge [4]. Approximately 50 volunteer medics were involved in the work of the city's modular infectious hospital, morgue, PCR laboratories, and temporary centres [6].

The public association "Almaty Kindness Club" provided school supplies to 200 children from families that previously received social assistance [7]. They also assisted 310 elderly people in high-risk facilities such as the Veteran's Home, Nur Nursing Home, and the Sobor's Old Age Home [7]. Around 15 large families and lonely elderly people received coal from the "Almaty Kindness Club" before winter [7].

Since the start of the quarantine, the "Almaty Kindness Club" has collected and delivered 1,200 food baskets to low-income and large families in Almaty and nearby villages [8]. Various volunteer organisations in the city provided comprehensive assistance to Almaty residents during the pandemic, maintaining remote contact and regularly delivering essential goods and medications during the strict quarantine [9].

Volunteer organisations in Almaty, including "League of Volunteers," have worked closely with government agencies during the pandemic [10]. The public association "I am an Almaty resident" launched the "Who, if not me" kindness campaign during the announced quarantine, providing food packages to over 5,000 low-income city residents [11]. These organisations have a combined database of over 50,000 volunteers [12].

During the strict quarantine, volunteers monitored 80 infection hotspots in the city [13]. During the state of emergency, volunteer medics from various organisations assisted in city quarantine and temporary hospitals, conducted explanatory work on quarantine, collected epidemiological data, and helped with COVID-19 PCR tests [14].

In conclusion, volunteer organisations, supported or linked to government initiatives like BizBirgemiz, were crucial in distributing aid, organising charitable events, and supporting public health messaging in Almaty during the COVID-19 pandemic. They complemented institutional efforts by mobilising community resources and helping vulnerable populations [1][2][3].

1. The BizBirgemiz movement, a volunteer initiative launched in Almaty during the pandemic, not only organized aid distribution and support events but also supported digital literacy, public education, and health communication efforts.
2. Besides providing essential goods and housing, volunteer organizations in partnership with charity foundations hosted fundraising galas and auctions to support struggling individuals and families in Kazakhstan.
3. In addition to assisting with healthcare facilities, volunteer medics worked closely with government agencies in the city of Almaty to help with data collection, explanatory work on quarantine, and COVID-19 PCR tests.
4. Apart from offering school supplies to children from families receiving social assistance, the Almaty Kindness Club also supported elderly people in high-risk facilities, including the Veteran's Home, the Nur Nursing Home, and the Sobor's Old Age Home.
5. During the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteer organizations in Almaty expanded their reach to cover various aspects of community life, including sustainable living, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, relationships, pets, travel, cars, and shopping. For example, they delivered essential supplies to pets and helped city residents adapt to working remotely by providing equipment and resources for efficient work-from-home setups.

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