Qatar’s aid packages for the flood victims of Baghlan province arrived at Mazar-e-Sharif airport and were handed over to the officials of the Islamic Emirate.

The 22-ton aid includes tents, food, medicines and household items.

Qatari officials said at the airport that four more aid shipments will also be dispatched for flood victims.

Meanwhile, the officials of the Islamic Emirate expressed their gratitude for Qatar’s aid and said that they need more international aid considering the extent of casualties and damages.

Although international organizations are working help flood victims of Baghlan, this is the first aid package from a foreign country that has been sent for the victims of the disaster.

Search operation continues

With four days passed since the deadly and devastating floods, some residents of Borka district of Baghlan province have not been able to find the bodies of their loved ones.

Samiullah, one of the flood victims in Baghlan province, says: “We are busy pulling out the martyrs from under the rubble. We have been pulling out martyrs for almost three days. Some martyrs are still missing.”

Residents of Floul area of Borka district have painful stories about the floods and the loss of their loved ones and their homes.

Jamil, one of the victims, says: “The flooding struck suddenly. Here was a village. All its residents were killed.”

Sheikh Jalal area in Baghlan-i-Markazi district is another area where floods have caused the most greater human and material losses. In this area, about 50 bodies were buried in a cemetery.

“Various institutions of the Islamic Emirate have provided the basic necessities of life. Health teams have arrived. Food is provided for the displaced people,” said Alam Majidi, the spokesman of Baghlan governor.

Based on official figures, more than 300 people have died as a result of floods in Baghlan province and over 1,600 others have been injured.

Thomas West, the US special representative for Afghanistan, said Monday the United States is deeply saddened by the devastating floods in different parts of the country and that its partners in the country are mobilizing emergency aid, including food and water.

Karen Decker, the US Embassy’s charge d’affaires for Afghanistan, also posted a message on X and said the US is heartbroken by loss of life in Baghlan and elsewhere in Afghanistan after heavy rains and flash floods.

“The United States joins others in mobilizing emergency relief, food, and medical supplies through partners to support recovery efforts,” Decker said.

The occurrence of devastating floods in several provinces of the country, especially in Baghlan, has caused casualties and huge financial losses to local residents.

Based on the latest statistics, more than 300 people have died in two districts of Baghlan.

A large number of aid organizations, including the European Union’s Office for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid, OCHA, the International Organization for Migration and the World Health Organization, are providing assistance to the flood victims.

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Economic Deputy Prime Minister, visited flood-hit areas in Baghlan province in northern Afghanistan on Monday to assess the devastation inflicted on the area.

After visiting the affected areas, Baradar met with local officials and gave instructions to them and representatives of working committees to provide the necessary assistance to the flood victims.

Baradar meanwhile pointed out that extreme damage had been caused in the flood-hit districts.

“It is necessary that the [disaster management] organization accelerates its efforts to provide food, medicine and shelter for the displaced citizens and aid to the flood affected areas,” said Baradar.

Baghlan and other northern provinces were hit by heavy rains and flash floods on Friday, which left more than 300 dead and over 1,600 injured.

Hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed and livestock wiped out.

Officials said huge financial losses have been incurred.

Appeals have been made by numerous organizations to aid agencies to step in to help the victims.