13.10.2020

Strength of a country and the unity of a people are tested in difficult times. Regrettable as it is, we have faced loads of challenges in the year 2020. Against the backdrop of the socio-economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, a natural disaster and a man-made catastrophe took place in the Bukhara and Syrdarya regions within just one week earlier this year.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev immediately arrived in those spots and took control of the situation. “What we must show is self-discipline, and we should learn to bear this burden. Not a single family, not a single person will be left without attention of the state,” the President said back then.

The personal participation of the head of state in the organization of works toward the elimination of disaster consequences and restoration of normal life became a manifestation of strong support for the victims. The nation united and came to the aid of our compatriots; some helped with money, while some others with labor.

As a result of dam breakthrough at the Sardoba reservoir in May this year, 2,211 houses became unfit for habitation, 2,499 suffered significant damage. Having familiarized himself with the destruction scale, the President promised not only to restore the spoiled mahallas, but also to make them better, to turn them into model settlements.

A total of 86 five-story apartment blocks have been erected on three quarters of 50 hectares selected for this purpose: 37 such houses were built in the Dustlik mahalla of Sardoba district, 40 were constructed in Mirzaabad district’s Hakikat mahalla and 9 in the Navbahor mahalla. A total of 2,640 apartments were commissioned.

“The flood damage was enormous. We had to both eliminate the consequences of the tragedy and normalize people’s lives within a short span time. We spoke with all the victims. Ministries and regions united their resources. We’ve managed to provide families with housing before colder days come. Crucially, anxiety has left people, they are now content with what they are offered,” Shavkat Mirziyoyev suggested.

Before the tragedy, neighborhoods here were not supplied with natural gas. Today, local residents are provided gas, water, electricity and other communications. It is also important that the owners of new apartments retained their houses, not far from which all three blocks were built.

The head of state emphasized the solidarity of our people at that difficult time.

“Specialists came here from all over the country. There is a street of Karakalpakstan and those of every region. Everyone was convinced that if we unite, take care of each other, we will be able to do a lot, and this is our strength,” Shavkat Mirziyoyev insisted.

The houses are cozy, the adjacent territory is landscaped. The new mahalla received the name Yangi Uzbekiston (New Uzbekistan).

“The title Yangi Uzbekiston was given for a reason. If people like this experience, we will build houses of this type in other regions, too, in cities with high population density. And next to such areas we will create jobs. In general, we need to change the culture of building and living,” the President noted.

A mahalla guzar, a shop, a library, and playgrounds have been built in the new residential quarter. A company has been set up to service them.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev gave directives to local officials on the effective operation of houses.