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Afghanistan

Afghanistan: OCHA Flood and Avalanche Update - 11 Feb 2009

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Heavy rains and snowfall have resulted in floods and avalanches in a number of regions, as follows:

North/Northeastern Regions:

Salang pass: According to ANDMA, a total of 166 people were killed and 66 seriously injured by a series of avalanches in the Salang area on 8 February. A total of 1600 people were evacuated after being stranded in the area. Line ministries (MoPH, MoI, MoD, MoPW), ISAF, and the Parwant Provincial Authorities were involved in rescue operation. Assistance provided to those affected included food, blankets, and NFIs from UNICEF, IOM, ANDMA, and ARCS. Salang pass has reopened, but the search for missing vehicles continues so casualty figures may rise.

Badakhshan province: The Badakhshan PG office reported that avalanches killed a total of five people in Argu, Kofab, and Jurm provinces, and that roads to most villages are blocked. There are concerns about the humanitarian impact of the cold weather and lack of access to health services and food storage. In Kofab district, residents of 50 households are trapped by packed snow and rescue efforts are ongoing. Further avalanches are expected. Line departments have been instructed to develop a response plan.

Southern Region:

Kandahar province: At a PDMC meeting with Provincial Government officials, ANDMA, RRD, UN agencies and NGOs on 9 Feb, the following flood damage was reported:

- Approximately 800-1,000 households affected (in Kandahar city and Daman and Dand districts) (assessments ongoing)

- 20 deaths, mainly from vehicles washed away

- 100-200 houses destroyed (assessments ongoing)

- Damage to infrastructure, livestock, and livelihoods still under assessment

At a coordination meeting on 8 February, humanitarian actors agreed that IOM, as lead agency for natural disaster displacement, will lead assistance efforts with the support of OCHA. Relief stocks are available from IOM (NFIs), WFP (food), ADA (NFIs and tents) and WHO (capacity of medical facilities).

Three teams composed of representatives from ANDMA, RRD, and the NGOs HAPA and ADA are verifying assessment results in order to distribute relief items (NFIs from IOM and tents and clothing from ADA) in the three districts. As of 10 February, a total of 310 families have been verified and distribution of NFIs has begun. Some families have already received assistance from local authorities and the ANA. Some of the affected areas are inaccessible for assessment teams (particularly Panjway, Maiwand, Zarai districts). Verifications are ongoing and OCHA will have an update on 12 February. The PRT is available to provide in extremis assistance if needed.

Other provinces:

- OCHA has received reports on 10 February that 108 families have been affected by floods in Lashkar Gha, Helmand province. 1 child was killed and three injured, and 18 houses were destroyed. DoRR and DoRRD are conducting an assessment. ARCS has already provided 60 families with tents, food, and NFIs and plans to expand assistance the remaining families. There is reported to be an overlap between flood-affected and IDP caseloads.

- DoRR and DoRRD are also conducting assessments in Uruzgan province, where Tirin Kot and Derawood and Choura districts are reported to be affected by flooding.

Western Region

Farah Province: ANDMA reported on 7 Feb that Qarya-i-Nizgan, Kamaraq, and Khaief villages of Pur Chanman district have been affected by floods; the PDMC reported that 6 women and 6 children died. The affected area is no-go for the UN for security reasons and roads are currently inaccessible. On 10 February, once weather permitted, the ANA transported a PDMC assessment team (from ANDMA, ARCS and the Provincial Council) to the affected area along with the following assistance items: 175 family kits (clothing, NFIs, and biscuits) (UNICEF); 100 tarpaulins (DoRR); 40 50kg rice, 200 blankets, 120 stoves, 10 tents, 100 sets clothing; 100 tarpaulins (ARCS); and 200 50 kg bags of wheat (Farah PG). ANDMA has requested WFP food assistance for 200 families and WFP is following up on the request.

Ghor province: Heavy snowfall and avalanches have also been reported in Cheghcheran and Charsada districts in Ghor; ANDMA reports the collapse of a house in Cheghcheran, as well as two deaths and one injury. ANDMA also reports blockage of roads to the provincial center and to other provinces. Road clearance is ongoing but additional funds are needed for roads linking villages to the provincial center; the PDMC is preparing a food for work request.

Herat province: ANDMA reported on 7 Feb that 50 houses were damaged by heavy rains in Enjil, Koshki, Robat Sangi, and Zinda Jan districts on 5 Feb. An ANDMA assessment identified NFIs, food, tents, and shelter needs for 50 families. UNHCR is assisting with plastic sheets, IOM with NFIs, UNICEF with biscuits, and HELP with food.

Central Highlands

Two people were reported killed by an avalanche in Waras district, Bamiyan province and two others killed in Sharistan district, Dai Kundi province. There is continued about potential for continued avalanches due to heavy snowfall. OCHA and UN agencies have prepared an updated list of available relief stocks in case further assistance is needed.

Eastern Region

- The Deputy Governor of Laghman province reported on 8 February that heavy snowfall caused five houses to collapse in Dawlatsha district; no casualties were reported. An assessment team was dispatched with tents, food, and NFIs for the affected families.

- ANDMA reported that 13 houses were damaged as well as stored food and livestock by heavy rains in Khanak village, Sherzad district in Nangarhar province. Also in Nangarhar, ANDMA reported that 20 seasonal houses were destroyed by heavy snow in Ghuagiza village, Hesarak district and that the road to the village is blocked.

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