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IRC helps with emergency response after eastern Afghanistan hit by heavy storms
Thousands of people have been left stranded without access to services and basic facilities, and hundreds of homes have been destroyed.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has deployed a mobile health team to the worst affected areas of Surkhrod district in Nangarhar after heavy windstorms, rain, and flash floods across the province left at least 35 dead and hundreds injured.
The storms hit on Monday and struck many areas across Afghanistan, including Jalalabad city, Surkhrod, Lalpura, Goshta, Momanadara, Batikot and Behsud districts of Nangarhar.
Thousands of people have been left stranded without access to services and basic facilities, and hundreds of homes have been destroyed.
The IRC said on Tuesday it has deployed a mobile health team to the worst affected areas of Surkhrod district in Nangarhar, and is preparing to deploy two emergency response teams, who will deliver emergency health services to those who have been injured or are cut off from accessing mainstream services as a result of the storms.
The storms have led to widespread damage and casualties. Infrastructure such as bridges, roads, and homes has been destroyed, the IRC stated.
This area is still recovering from devastating floods that occurred two months ago, with many families still sheltering outside as they struggle to rebuild their homes.
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.
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Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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