Flash floods within the space have reportedly killed not less than 300 folks, together with 51 kids, with many extra injured, with these figures anticipated to extend as extra studies are available in, in keeping with UN companies.
UN chief António Guterres expressed his condolences to the households of the victims.
“The United Nations and its companions in Afghanistan are coordinating with the de facto authorities to swiftly assess wants and supply emergency help,” mentioned his spokesperson in a press release, extending needs for a swift restoration to these injured and condolences to the households of the victims.
Many of the casualties have been reported in Baghlan province, the place heavy rains destroyed an estimated 3,000 homes, flooded farmland, washed away livestock, closed colleges and broken well being centres.
Takhar and Badakhshan provinces have been additionally impacted with preliminary studies of not less than 300 homes broken, in keeping with the UN Youngsters’s Fund (UNICEF).
UN groups mobilise on the bottom
“UNICEF and our companions are on the bottom and are making each effort to deliver fast aid to the affected households and communities,” Dr. Tajudeen Oyewale, UNICEF Consultant in Afghanistan, mentioned on Sunday, expressing condolences to the households mourning the lack of family members.
A UNICEF-supported cellular well being and vitamin group has additionally been dispatched and groups are on the bottom to assist conduct extra assessments.
“The heavy rains and subsequent floods have disrupted lives and pose a major threat to kids within the affected provinces,” Dr. Oyewale mentioned. “As households address the loss, sustaining entry to secure water, well being and safety providers is paramount. As at all times, UNICEF stands with the youngsters and other people of Afghanistan throughout this troublesome time.”
Support swiftly deployed
Working with companions, UN companies are already distributing support.
UNICEF has dispatched 450 household kits, 500 hygiene kits, 476 blankets for adults and infants and 100 clothes kits alongside assist supplied by different UN companies and companions.
In the meantime, the UN migration organisation (IOM) has been distributing support packages that embody momentary shelters, important non-food gadgets, photo voltaic modules, clothes and instruments for repairs to their broken shelters.
The UN World Meals Programme (WFP) is presently distributing vitality biscuits to survivors of the floods, in keeping with the company’s publish on social media on Sunday.
WFP additionally mentioned this flood is without doubt one of the many occasions in latest weeks brought on by unusually heavy rains.
Excessive climate highlights want for resilient efforts
UN aid chief Martin Griffiths mentioned “this excessive climate occasion underscores the necessity for climate-resilient humanitarian efforts.”
In the meantime, the UN aid company, OCHA, is working with companions and nationwide authorities to offer shelter, meals and healthcare, he mentioned in a publish on X on Sunday.
Afghanistan is among the many 10 most weak nations to local weather change and has been experiencing an increase in excessive climate situations, notably floods, drought and sand and dirt storms, ensuing within the lack of lives and livelihoods and vital harm to infrastructure.
