Almost 300 people dead in floods in past 10 days

At least 294 people have died and 266 others have been injured in floods over the last ten days, the ministry of state for disaster management confirmed Tuesday.

According to the ministry, the floods have had an enormous financial impact on 14 provinces in the country.

The spokesman said 14,923 houses have been completely or partially destroyed and so far more than 17,000 families have been given emergency aid.

The process of providing relief is ongoing, he said.

In the past 10 days, 14 provinces experienced devastating floods due to heavy rains, especially Baghlan, Takhar, Ghor, Badghis, Badakhshan, Samangan and Faryab.

Janan Saiq, the spokesperson for the Ministry of State for Disaster Management says 294 have died and 266 others have been injured.

In addition, 14,923 houses were affected, either partially or completely damaged while 6,000 livestock were wiped out.

Saiq said assessment teams rushed to help the flood victims as soon as possible and so far more than 17,000 families have been provided with aid.

He said more families were still in need of emergency assistance and that they would be provided with help.

Aid provided by the ministry included food, clothes and tents. Saiq said shelters will also be provided to the flood affected people.

At the same time the United Nations says that Afghan women and children have suffered the most in the recent floods. The United Nations Women’s Office, stated in a report on the situation of flood victims in a number of northeastern provinces of Afghanistan, that women and children were disproportionately affected by this natural event, because they were inside their homes during heavy rains.

According to the report among the injured are 74 women and 51 children under the age of five. Another 220 people needed medical help, including 79 women, 74 men and 67 children. UN Women said that women and girls in particular need health packages and health products, as well as nutritious food for pregnant and lactating women.

At the same time, UNAMA also says that 60,000 people were affected by the flood in Baghlan province.

According to the UN, 182 people, most of whom are women and children, died in Baghlan following the recent floods. UNAMA humanitarian affairs deputy said that UN humanitarian teams have been deployed to help the flood victims in Baghlan, Takhar and Badakhshan provinces.

Indrika Ratwatte added that so far, about 15,000 flood-affected people in northern Afghanistan have been supported by the United Nations and its partners.

On the other hand, UNAMA’s humanitarian aid coordinator in Afghanistan has emphasized that the international community should support the people of the country and help meet the needs of those affected by the floods.