Citi and the Red Crescent Society of Kazakhstan: Supporting Citizens after Floods

Citi is one of the first international banks to enter the Kazakh financial market. In April 1994, a representative office was opened in Almaty, and in 1998, Citibank Kazakhstan JSC received a license to carry out banking operations and operations in the securities market, thereby expanding the range of services for corporate clients.

Saule Zhakayeva, Chairperson of the Management Board of Citibank Kazakhstan JSC, spoke about the bank's role in the field of corporate social responsibility.

Why is it important for Citi to support local communities?

- 2024 marked an important milestone for Citi – 30 years of operations in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Over the past thirty years, Citi has become an integral member of the banking community of Kazakhstan and a provider of modern banking solutions. We are proud that Citi is a key partner for the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, international companies and investors and the largest enterprises in the country. Citi has remained committed to its mission in the country for three decades, and we are honored to be a trusted banking partner that serves our customers and benefits the community.

We aim to promote economic growth and progress, support our clients in achieving their goals, and contribute to the prosperity of civil society. Citi Kazakhstan has a long history of supporting local communities through a variety of charity, volunteer, and sponsorship initiatives. For 30 years, we have strived to ensure that our investments contribute to the economic development of the country and have a real impact on communities with historically limited resources.

Citi is a long-standing partner of Paralympic sport Kazakhstan, a program of the International Paralympic Committee aimed at changing perceptions of people with disabilities and providing a platform for Paralympians and their supporting organizations to stimulate social progress. Citi supported Kazakh teams at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, the Beijing Paralympic Winter Games in 2022 and the Paris Paralympic Games in 2024. The total amount of financing since 2020 has exceeded 61 million tenge.

In June 2024, the bank's efforts were recognized with the award "For Contribution to Social Development" from the American Chamber of Commerce in Kazakhstan. This award highlights our commitment to the country and is a testament to Citi's recognition as the "Best Bank for Corporate Social Responsibility in 2023 by Asiamoney.”

In addition to funding, how else can companies support the communities in which they operate?

- In addition to financial support, Citi employees along with their families and friends dedicate their time, skills and expertise through local volunteerism. Volunteerism takes place throughout the year and during Global Community Day, an annual tradition where Citi colleagues come together through volunteerism and building connections with one another and the communities they serve. In 2024, for example, Citi Kazakhstan employees volunteered at Kovcheg Orphanage, which Citi has supported for over 15 years. Kovcheg is a non-governmental organization that started its activities in 1997 and is a home for orphans, children with disabilities and children from vulnerable groups. Here, they receive nutritional support, clothing, medical care, and support to develop their talents.

In Astana, Citi colleagues planted trees on the grounds of the National Center for Neurosurgery. In Almaty, Citi volunteers dedicated their time at a sports marathon for almost 200 children with developmental needs. In 2023, on Down Syndrome Day, Citi Kazakhstan supported the opening of the Kun Bala Bakery of Opportunities for teenagers with Down Syndrome. The Center helps youth study to become bakers by making bread and cooking hot dishes while learning to care for themselves. Today Kun Bala is a well-managed business where young people with Down syndrome socialize and feel included. Seeing the positive impact when we come together to support local communities is amazing.

What role does Citi play in supporting disaster recovery?

As a global bank, we have a long history of supporting communities that are affected by disasters and humanitarian crises. We aim to provide funding that enables organizations to build capacity and achieve response and recovery goals and preparedness objectives to mitigate disaster impacts.

For example, the Citi Foundation provides catalytic funding to address global issues such as food security and homelessness. In Kazakhstan, the Citi Foundation provided $500,000 in grant support to the Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia (EFCA) to implement the "Omirlik Maqsat" program to combat homelessness among women and girls with disabilities, as well as parents of children with disabilities. The program is implemented through public organizations throughout Kazakhstan and works to create a systemic solution to the issue of housing insecurity. The focus is on strengthening the capacity of 25-30 NGOs that are engaged in an integrated approach to these issues. Within the framework of the project, 500 Kazakhstanis will receive individual support including vocational training, development of digital literacy skills and access to legal, financial and psychological services.

Separately, last year, when Kazakhstan experienced devastating floods – the largest in 80 years – thousands of people lost their homes, and many businesses were stranded. At Citi Kazakhstan, we understood our role and recognized the opportunity to support disaster relief and recovery efforts.

The Bank allocated $200,000 as a donation to the Red Crescent Society of Kazakhstan to support flood victims. As a result, more than 1,600 people received financial assistance, including vulnerable groups, particularly individuals with disabilities, elderly people living alone, and both large and single-parent families.

The Red Crescent of Kazakhstan is the largest humanitarian organization in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Today, the Red Crescent is engaged in the implementation of a wide range of programs in disaster risk reduction and emergency response, public health, promotion of the culture of voluntary unpaid blood donation, and support for socially vulnerable groups of the population.

In the spring of 2024, Citi Kazakhstan employees responded immediately to a request for the supply of essential goods to support people left homeless because of floods. Today, months after the disaster, we see that Citi's assistance, together with the efforts of the Red Crescent of Kazakhstan, has provided significant support to local communities.

Citi is committed to ensuring the safety of our employees, customers, and communities and to supporting clients in carrying out their activities. Through these and many other initiatives, Citi is helping communities recover more effectively and build resilience to mitigate the impact of future disasters.