Asia

Kazakhstan

Location

Central Asia, north-west of China; a small portion west of the Ural River in eastern-most Europe.

Be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, including places frequented by foreigners. Robberies and personal attacks have increased, especially in the larger cities. Do not walk on the streets at night. Do not travel in unmarked taxis. Weapons (assorted), vehicle security, personal security, ambushes, kidnappings, gunfire / snipers, legal / illegal checkpoints, armed robberies, general travel, navigation, off road driving, building / office security, cold weather injuries, clothing & equipment, emergency first aid, helicopter safety, cultures / customs, communications, civil disturbances / unrest, terrorism. Shorts should not be worn except for sports.

Use bottled water only.

Extends from the Volga to the Altai Mountains and from the plains in western Siberia to oases and desert in Central Asia.

Continental, cold winters and hot summers, arid and semi-arid.

Earthquakes in the south, mudslides. Almaty is in an active seismic zone.

Avian influenza, brucellosis, diphtheria, haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, hepatitis A, HIV/AIDS, polio, rabies, tick-borne encephalitis, tuberculosis, typhoid, yellow fever.
Hospital: Adult Medical Care Diagnostic Centre, 57 Auezova Street, Amaty. Tel: 3272 422979

Radioactive or toxic chemical sites associated with former defence industries and test ranges scattered throughout the country pose health risks for humans and animals; industrial pollution is severe in some cities; because the two main rivers which flowed into the Aral Sea have been diverted for irrigation, it is drying up and leaving behind a harmful layer of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then picked up by the wind and blown into noxious dust storms; pollution in the Caspian Sea; soil pollution from overuse of agricultural chemicals and salination from poor infrastructure and wasteful irrigation practices.

Service stations and petrol / water access can be limited outside main cities. Drivers can be erratic on poorly maintained roads. During winter months roads are hazardous due to snow and ice. We advise against using local buses / minibuses as these are generally unworthy.

Hostile Environments and Emergency First Aid Training (HEFAT®) (5 days)
Centurion's flagship Hostile Environments and Emergency First Aid Training (HEFAT®) course is for people who operate world wide, particularly in areas where there may be personal health or safety concerns. It is extremely effective for "frontline" organisations.

For more in-depth general information please download our Preparation and Training document.