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Afghanistan

OCHA Afghanistan Floods Update 6 May 2010

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The following is an update on the floods situation in the Central Highlands and Western and Northeastern regions since OCHA's last update on 5 May:

Central Highlands:

Bamyan province: Road closures continue to limit access to flood-affected areas. The following information has been reported to date:

- Kahmard district: DEWS, CHC, and Helvetas report 17 people injured (3 seriously), 45 houses damaged, and some agricultural lands, roads, and water intakes damaged.

- Panjab and Waras districts: the Afghan National Police reported that Pajab-Waras road is blocked, houses and farmlands are damaged, livestock were killed, and a clinic was washed away. An assessment team has arrived from Bamyan to assess both districts and IOM has 200 family kits on standby pending assessment results.

- Yakawlang, Shiber, and Saighan districts: The ANP reported damages including road blockages, damages to infrastructure and farmlands, and livestock deaths. The DDMCs have been asked to provide more information.

- Bamyan center: ANDMA reported four houses destroyed and damages to a piping scheme, 100m of roads, and farmlands. IOM has provided the affected families with tarpaulins and family kits.

The PDMC has identified constructions companies and DoPW to assist with road clearance. Stocks in Bamiyan have been identified and will be contributed after valid assessment results are available.

Dai Kundi province: Road closures continue to limit access to flood-affected areas. At a PDMC meeting on 6 May, the following flood damage was reported: 6 people killed, 28 people injured, 239 houses destroyed, 2,747 livestock killed, 1 clinic damaged, and 13,300 jeribs of land damaged, as well as other damages. The affected areas are in Nili city, Ashtarlai district, Khedir district, and Sangtakht district; the road from Shahristan to Nili is also blocked and cars are trapped. The PDMC dispatched a private contractor immediately to clear the road. The Provincial Governor asked humanitarian agencies to provide updated stock lists on 7 May and also to identify means of transport.

Western region:

Ghor province: On 6 May, ANDMA Ghor reported heavy rains and floods in Dara-e-Ghazi and Famililhah-e-Sabiqa areas of Cheghcheran city; no further information is available at this time. With regards to preparedness, UNICEF has a substantial quantity of NFIs to respond to the emergency pre-positioned in Ghor; UNICEF also plans to send additional NFIs to the province.

Badghis province: UNAMA reported on 6 May that community members reported that floods in Bala Murghab have killed a total of 25 people in four villages (Bokan Lal Mohd, Bokan Zaher, Chapchal, Panirak area), as well as caused property and livestock damage. No response has been made so far; OCHA has contacted ANDMA Badghis for verification and further information.

Herat province: On 6 May, the assistance for 200 families mobilized by the PDMC and referred to in yesterday's report reached Obe district and the assessment team is planning the distribution. It has been reported that the Afghan National Army has distributed assistance in the affected areas; OCHA is following up to identify at whose request the assistance was mobilized.

Northeastern region:

Ongoing flood response in Baghlan: On 6 May, the Humanitarian Regional Team met to discuss gaps in flood response in Baghlan detailed in yesterday's report. The ICRC agreed to provide food through ARCS for 266 families in Baghlan Jadid; a gap remains for food assistance for 362 households.

UNICEF, IOM, and ARCS made commitments to cover NFI gaps; however, IOM needs assistance with transportation of kits from Kunduz. No additional commitments of tents were made, but NFI kits include tarpaulins as a temporary shelter measure.

New floods in Baghlan province: Flash floods occurred on 5 May in nine districts: Khost, Nahrin, Baghlan Jadid, Dushi, Khinjan, Tala-wa-Barfak, Deh Salah, Bano, and Firing. In response, on 6 May, five teams composed of representatives from NGOs, local government, and local communities have been deployed to affected areas to conduct assessments.

Takhar province: ANDMA Takhar reports that on 4-5 May flash floods affected Yangi Qala, Chah Ab, Rustaq, Wursaj, Farkhar and Chal districts and numerous access roads were blocked. In response, on 05 May, 6 teams composed of representatives from NGOs, local governments, and local communities have been deployed to affected areas to conduct assessments.

Badakhshan province: On 5 May, ANDMA reported that a flash flood in Yawan district damaged farm lands and retaining walls but there no human causalities or homes damaged.

NERC meeting:

At a meeting of the National Emergency Response Committee on 6 May, Deputy Vice President Khalili requested that 1) MoRRD and MoPW develop a plan for reopening blocked roads, 2) assessment teams consisting of line ministries, ANDMA, WFP, and OCHA be dispatched to all affected provinces, 3) cash provided to Governors for compensation of victims, 4) necessary food and NFIs be identified by humanitarian and government actors, and 5) MoD look into providing air support in Ghor, Dai Kundi, and Bamiyan, requesting assistance from ISAF if necessary,

For more information, please contact:

Coordination: Kabul: Poo Lin Stefano Wong, 0795878709, stefanowong@un.org

Herat: Shahrokh Pazhman, 0795878715, pazhman@un.org

Bamiyan: Ishaq Ali Ramazani, 0793001102, ramazanii@un.org

Kunduz: Said Moussa, 0793001106, moussas@un.org

Reporting: Deborah Murphy, 0795878708, murphyd@un.org

Information Management: Margaret Hall, 0795878707, hall1@un.org

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