Beyond the immediate crisis, the flood disaster also highlights the need for longer-term efforts to reduce vulnerability and build resilience against such events in the future
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Afghanistan, a country prone to natural disasters and where CAFOD has worked since the late 1980s, has been hit by devastating floods.
More than 500 people have died or suffered serious injuries since intense rainfall caused flash floods, with north-eastern provinces worst affected, and more heavy rain is expected in the country, which is one of the world’s most vulnerable to climate change.
The impact of the floods was worst on women and children, most of whom were indoors during the deluge, while men sought shelter in communal buildings. Women were also prominent among those needing treatment from mobile health teams.
Many families have lost their homes and all their possessions. Many lost their livelihood at the same time, with the floods washing away their crops and livestock.
Nearly 3,400 houses have been completely or partially damaged
10,000 acres of orchards were destroyed
2,000 livestock have been killed
CAFOD and its partners are urgently delivering immediate relief to the three north-eastern provinces of Baghram, Takhar and Badakshan.
Apart from emergency medical care, supplies include:
shelter
financial assistance
essential non-food items
food support
access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.
Aid bodies are warning that many parts of northern and western Afghanistan face acute food shortages, not only because crops have been swept away, but because families have no money to buy supplies.
Kitty Chevalier, CAFOD’s programme officer for Afghanistan, said: “Beyond the immediate crisis, the flood disaster also highlights the need for longer-term efforts to reduce vulnerability and build resilience against such events in the future.”
Climate-related disasters have worsened the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, already one of the world’s poorest countries. On average, 200,000 Afghans are affected by disasters each year, but between January and November last year that figure shot up above 344,000, with 25 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces suffering a disaster.
