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Afghanistan

Afghanistan: Severe winter conditions in western regions OCHA Situation Report No. 7

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This report is developed by the UNAMA Office in Afghanistan and is based on information provided by the Governor's Offices of Ghor, Badghis, Farah and Herat, the Afghan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA), the Department of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (DRRD), the Afghanistan Red Crescent Society (ARCS), UN Agencies, NGOs and ISAF.

HIGHLIGHTS

- Some 882 fatalities have been reported so far in the 4 provinces of Herat, Farah, Badghis and Ghor.

- The quick rise in temperature means that snow is melting rapidly on the mountains. Flooding of most major rives is expected in Ghor, Badghis and Herat provinces.

- The government emphasizes the lack of availability of fodder for livestock and food for the population as priority needs.

SITUATION

1. The harshest winter weather conditions in nearly 30 years have caused fatalities, hardship and major access problems in the Western Region, with unusually heavy snow falls over the past month. At the moment, temperatures are increasing up to 17 degrees Celsius during the day and the snow is melting. Roads from Herat to all provincial capitals have been opened. However, villages in remote areas are still inaccessible.

2. Some 882 fatalities have been reported so far in the 4 provinces, in addition to a reported total of 134,693 loss of livestock. The breakdown is as follows:

Province
Fatalities
Loss of Livestock
Herat
576
105,569
Badghis
228
12,795
Ghor
45
11,136
Farah
33
5,193
Total
882
134,693

3. The quick rise in temperature means that snow is melting rapidly on mountain tops. Flooding of most major rives is expected in Ghor, Badghhis and Herat provinces. In Farah province, mostly Purchaman district will be affected by floods.

4. The government emphasizes the lack of availability of fodder for livestock and food for the population as priority needs.

5. Herat province remains 85% accessible. Ghor province is only 50% accessible due to heavy snow (for UN agencies). Certain areas bordering Hilmand and Farah provinces are not accessible due to security. Badghis province remains 60% accessible (for UN agencies) except for Murghab and Ghormach districts. Jawand district is not accessible due to severe winter conditions. Farah remains the least accessible, with only Farah city being open for UN agencies.

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