DEATH TOLL FROM AFGHANISTAN’S HEAVY RAINS RISES TO 47, HUNDREDS INJURED, HOMES DESTROYED

Tue 16 July 2024:

The death toll from heavy rains in eastern Afghanistan increased to 47 on Tuesday, with 350 people injured, according to local officials. Severe storms struck Nangarhar province on Monday evening, causing extensive damage by uprooting trees and collapsing buildings.

Saifullah Khalid, head of Nangarhar’s disaster management authority, confirmed the updated figures and reported that approximately 400 homes were demolished by the flooding.

This disaster follows deadly flash floods in May that claimed hundreds of lives and damaged vast areas of agricultural land, critical in a country where 80 percent of the population relies on farming.

Afghanistan, one of the world’s poorest countries, is highly vulnerable to climate change, which scientists say is causing more frequent and severe extreme weather events. This year, the country experienced an unusually wet spring following a dry winter.

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The Taliban government frequently announces support for those impacted by natural disasters, but the departure of most foreign missions and aid organizations in 2021 has significantly reduced the assistance available to Afghans.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesman, has expressed his condolences to the affected families of the deceased and said various departments have been ordered to assess the damage, help transport the injured to hospitals, and arrange shelter and food for the affected families.

Mujahid said the security forces have also been sent in to assist.

Salma ben Aissa, IRC Afghanistan Director, said: “The loss of life and devastation in flood-affected areas is a fresh disaster for Afghanistan. Our thoughts are with the people impacted by this tragedy and the first responders working to rescue and provide medical care to families and individuals.

“As part of the response efforts, the International Rescue Committee in Afghanistan is mobilizing teams to provide crucial support to the affected areas and deploying teams to conduct assessments and provide emergency health services to those in need,” she said.

According to her, the continuation of climate-induced disasters in Afghanistan should be cause for grave concern. She pointed out that decades of conflict and the economic crisis has meant the country has faced setback after setback as it tries to find its feet.

“The sad reality is that without a massive increase in support from donors and the international community, many more will lose their lives,” she said.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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