People walk in a muddy street after flooding in the Black Sea resort of Gelendzhik, southern Russia, Saturday, July 7, 2012. Photo: Katu.com.

In the wake of severe floods in Russia’s Krasnodar Region near the Black Sea last weekend, more than 170 people were killed, over 5,000 were evacuated, and the town of Krymsk has been devastated, BBC reported. More than 500 Jews live in the affected areas.

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) activated its emergency network and staff in the region and is assessing the damage. Although there are currently no Jews among the reported dead, some elderly Jewish citizens—including Holocaust survivors—reported serious damage to their homes.

JDC said its staff has been in continuous touch with clients in the towns of Krimsk, Gelendzhik and Novorossiysk, which have been hit the hardest by the flooding, to ensure their safety. The humanitarian group is also aiding in the repair and rebuilding of homes.