Afghanistan: Floods - Jun 2005

The number of people affected by disasters continued to rise in 2005.The year began with the response to the South East Asia tsunami and finished with the response to the South Asia earthquake. Each year, one in five WHO Member States experiences a crisis that endangers the health of its people. Estimates indicate that more than 150 million people were directly affected by natural disasters.

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The fall of the Taliban in November 2001 has brought about political, economic and developmental processes which are, slowly, yielding results. The international community has made a huge commitment to Afghanistan. In terms of aid, at international conferences at Tokyo (2002) and Berlin (2004) donors pledged US$14.4 billion for reconstruction 2002 - 2006, of which US$3.8 billion from the European Union.

The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. It is the world's largest humanitarian organization and its millions of volunteers are active in over 183 countries. For more information: www.ifrc.org

In Brief

Appeal No. 05AA045; Programme Update no.

1. Introduction

The present issue is the fifth issue of the bi-monthly Agriculture Prospects Report (APR). The first one was released in early-March 2005. It provided preliminary forecasts of this wheat and rice production. The ensuing three issues were produced in mid-May, early-August and mid-October.

1. Introduction

This report supersedes Agriculture Prospects Report (APR) released by MAAHF on 2 August 2005. The purpose of APR is to: (a) provide the estimates of annual crop area and production, (b) quantify the cereal surplus or deficit, (c) identify critical areas needing emergency interventions and/or development initiatives, and (d) present retail market prices of agricultural commodities and their analysis. The APR data are mostly presented at the provincial levels.

The present issue is the fourth in the series of bi-monthly APR.

OVERVIEW

On 28 September, a suicide bombing occurred in the Army training facility in Kabul, killing several Afghan national army soldiers (cadets) and injuring another 26. Movement of UN staff was restricted as 'White city' was declared after the incident by the UN Department of Safety and Security (UN DSS). Green city with movement restrictions will be enforced as of 30.09.2005.

Secretary General's visit to Niger

This week 's report covers the following sectors: Agriculture, Food, Health, Protection / Human Rights / Rule of Law, Refugees and IDPs, Security, Shelter and Non-food Items, Water & Sanitation

NEW YORK/KABUL - Floods, one of the most common natural disasters in Pakistan, have recently devastated parts of Sindh Province, upper Punjab Province, North West Frontier Province, and northern areas of Pakistan. Major rivers in North West Frontier Province, Punjab, and northern Pakistan have been at extremely high levels since mid-May due to heavy winter snowfall and unprecedented high temperatures in the region over the last months.

1. Introduction

This report supersedes Agriculture Prospects Report (APR) released by MAAHF in May 2005. The report provides updated estimates of the 2005 crop outputs, quantifies the cereal surplus/deficit, identifies areas needing actions or interventions, and supplies retail market prices of agricultural commodities and services. The report is intended for the use of MAAHF, Central Statistics Office (CSO), and international agencies.

Most of data in the APR are presented at the provincial levels.

This week 's report covers the following sectors/countries:

Merlin, the UK-based charity which specialises in medical relief and health care worldwide, is assisting thousands of vulnerable people affected by floods in Badakshan province, northern Afghanistan.

With ongoing health projects across Badakshan, Merlin was ready to respond swiftly to the crisis and has already started distributing medical supplies to affected communities in four districts of the province.

I. OVERVIEW

The security situation is worsening in the south, southeast and eastern regions of the country.

In Kandahar, a police check post near Pakistani border came under attack, resulting in the death of nine policemen.

On 13 July, a senior cleric was shot dead in Hilmand province.

Continued insurgent activities have created serious concerns among the international community hampering the humanitarian activities in the affected areas.

II.

This week 's report covers the following sectors/countries:

Sectors: Agriculture, Coordination and Support Services, Food, Health, Infrastructure and Rehabilitation, Protection / Human Rights / Rule of Law, Refugees and IDPs, Shelter and Non-food Items, Water & Sanitation

This report includes:

(A) Highlights

(B) Middle East,Central Asia and Eastern Europe: (1) Central Asia (2) Afghanistan (3) Albania (4) Georgia (5) Iraq (6) Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (7) Pakistan (8) Tajikistan

(C) East & Central Africa: (1) Burundi (2) Congo, DR (3) Eritrea (4) Ethiopia (5) Somalia …

TALKING POINTS

Reintegration of former AMF Soldiers

To date 56,706 former Afghan Military Forces officers and soldiers have been demobilized and 54,995 have been registered for reintegration.

Afghanistan's New Beginnings Programme (ANBP) has also collected 36,395 heavy and light weapons under the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration process, of which 17,331 have been handed to the Ministry of Defence/Afghan National Army. The rest remain in safe storage.

This week 's report covers the following sectors/countries:

Sectors: Agriculture, Coordination and Support Services, Education, Food, Health, Infrastructure and Rehabilitation, Protection / Human Rights / Rule of Law, Refugees and IDPs, Security, Shelter and Non-food Items, Water & Sanitation

This report includes:

(A) Highlights

(B) Middle East,Central Asia and Eastern Europe: (1) Afghanistan (2) Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (3) Pakistan (4) Russian Federation (Caucasus) (5) Tajikistan

(C) East & Central Africa: (1) Burundi (2) Congo, DR (3) Eritrea (4) Ethiopia (5) …

Program Description

Since program startup in 2001, USAID/OTI has increased citizen awareness of and confidence in the process of recovery, rehabilitation and democratic political development in post-conflict Afghanistan. These aims have been accomplished by:

- Increasing the Afghan government's responsiveness to citizens' needs.

- Increasing citizen awareness of and participation in democratic processes.

- Increasing the capacity of the Afghan media.

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

I. OVERVIEW

The security situation is worsening in some areas, with a US army helicopter reportedly downed in the east and a temporary suspension of UNHAS flights to the east due to credible threats. In the south, southeast and eastern parts, insurgent activities hampered work and monitoring activities.