Afghanistan Floods: Flash Update #2 - Floods hit Northeastern Afghanistan (16 May 2024)

Highlights

• Response efforts to the weekends’ devastating floods in the northeastern region are ongoing.
• To date, 180 people have been confirmed killed and 280 injured. Among the most affected districts are Burka and Baghlani Jadid in Baghlan Province where 80 per cent of deaths have been recorded.
• In Baghlan Province, 3,128 homes have been destroyed or damaged according to inter-agency assessments, although four districts (Guzargah Noor, Jelga, Khost, and Tala wa Barfak) remain inaccessible by road. In Badakhshan and Takhar provinces, joint assessment teams (JATs) have yet to reach two affected districts (one each) due to their
  remote location, damaged roads and bridges, and mud slides. As areas become accessible, casualties are expected to rise. Emergency shelter, food assistance and access to clean water are among the priority needs.
• Although assessments are ongoing, partners have already reached around 10,000 people with food and agricultural assistance (cash and in-kind), 2,500 people with shelter, cooking and bathroom utensils, and at least 500 and 300 people respectively with WASH NFI and hygiene kits. Thirty-two Mobile Health and Nutrition Teams (MHNTs) have also been deployed. Bilateral support from Qatar has been channelled through the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS), who delivered on 15 May 100 tents and 500 NFIs in Burka district, Baghlan Province.
• Among the most pressing gaps are technical support to assess and repair water wells to ensure the provision of safe drinking water, the clearance of dead livestock to reduce the spread of disease, and medical supplies for MHNTs. Air-lift humanitarian support is also urgently required. Protection risks due to the displacement of households, psychological distress encountered, and family separation will rise further unless addressed.
• According to FAO, moderate to heavy precipitation waves are forecasted across much of the country between 16 and 22 May, with some parts likely to receive between 10 mm to more than 30 mm of precipitation locally, including Badakhshan, Baghlan, Kunduz and Takhar provinces.
• On 17 May, the Humanitarian Coordinator and Heads of UN agencies will visit Baghlan Province to meet with affected communities and first responders, as part of ongoing efforts to support the response and draw attention to relief efforts.

Overview

On 10 and 11 May, heavy rainfall led to fast-flowing water and flash floods in northeastern Afghanistan affecting 21 districts across Baghlan (Baghlani Jadid, Burka, Dahnai Ghori, Doshi, Guzargah Noor, Jelga, Khost, Nahrin, Puli Khumri and Tala wa Barfak), Badakhshan (Darwaz, Kishem, Tagab, Teshkan and Yawan) and Takhar (Chall, Farkhar, Ishkamish, Kalafgan, Namak Ab and Taluqan) provinces.

To date, 180 fatalities and 280 injuries have been confirmed across the three provinces. Among the victims, 51 were children under five and 74 were women. Furthermore, across the region to date 3,390 homes have been confirmed as either destroyed or damaged leaving thousands without shelter. In addition to damage and destruction to roads, bridges, health facilities and public schools, agricultural land and livestock have been lost. So far, 470 dead livestock, 700 acres of damaged agricultural land and 20km of damaged irrigation canals have been confirmed in Baghlani Jadid district alone, with further assessments ongoing. While some roads and thoroughfares have now been cleared, the districts of Burka and Nahrin are experiencing significant access challenges following the destruction of the main road and require air transportation to reach. Distribution teams and warehouses have been set up in Baghlani Jadid, Burka and Puli Khumri in Baghlan Province from where joint distributions commenced on 15 May 2024.