Kazakhstan promises to relocate residents of 'sleeping village'
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 16 January 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Kazakhstan promises to relocate residents of 'sleeping village', 16 January 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/54e1a3ba6.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
January 16, 2015
Kazakhstan's promising to resettle residents of a village near an abandoned uranium where dozens of people have suffered halluncinations, somnolence and memory loss.
The governor of the northern Aqmola region said on January 16 that all residents of Kalachi will be relocated by May.
Since 2013, about 100 people in the village of 680 have been striken with a mysterious "sleeping disease" whose cause has not been determined.
Many in the village believe the ailments are linked to the Soviet-era uranium mine nearby.
The government long resisted their pleas for relocation.
But regional governor Sergei Kulagin said that eight famliies have already been relocated and that up to 30 would move out by the end of January.
He said businesses in the Aqmola region would help fund the relocation program.
Based on reporting by Kazinform and Astana-FM
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
