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 185 countries.
In Brief
This Bulletin (no. 01/2006) is being issued for information only, and reflects the status of the situation and information available at this time. The Federation is not seeking funding or other assistance from donors for this operation at this time.
The Situation
Since 15 November, Afghanistan has been hit with heavy rains in all regions across the country. It has been predicted by the local media that the heavy rains will continue for the next week. Though the central and southern regions have been hit by rains, no heavy damage has been reported. It is still too early to judge the extent of the floods across the country due to inaccessibility to gain information from remote areas. However, there is the possibility that the country will face the threat of further floods due to the continuing rains.
Northern region
Belheragh and Gorziwan districts of the northern province of Faryab, located 350km west of Mazar-e-Sharif, was hit with heavy rails and hail storms on 17 November. According to early field reports, 26 houses were affected by the rain water. Of the 26 houses, one was totally destroyed and five were partially damaged. Two water dams were destroyed and 50 livestock perished.
Western region
Flash floods caused by heavy rains struck six districts in the western Afghanistan provinces of Herat and Badghis on 16 November. An overview of the flood and the damages in the region is as follows:
- Reuters reported that at least 15 people are dead and more than 100 missing. Some of the missing people have been found dead in Maorghab river in Badghis province.
- About 10 villages have been destroyed in neighbouring Badghis province, driving more than 1,000 people from their homes and causing the death of more than 5,000 head of livestock.
- In Naw Awad district, sixth district of Herat City, it was reported that 45 houses have been completely destroyed and 100 houses partially damaged.
- More than 130 houses were damaged in Kunari and Zahul villages in Shindand district, located 120km east of Herat City.
- Sixty houses were totally destroyed in Enjil district of Herat City.
- Houses in Farsi district, located 220km south of Herat City, have been affected, but the number of damaged houses is not presently known.
- Sa Polak village, south of Karte in Herat City, is submerged under water. Karte bridge, which connects Herat City with Enjil district, is partially damaged. An assessment team has been deployed to the area to examine the damage.
- Barrah Shakh Baloochan village of Obeh district, located 100km east of Herat City, and Turghundi Port village in Koshk district, located 112km north of Herat City, are affected by the flood. No details of the situation have been released as yet.
Coordination disaster management team (CDMT) meetings were held with the participation of the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) branch members, humanitarian aid agencies and the department of disaster preparedness (DDP). It was decided that governmental and non-governmental organizations will provide food and non-food items to 250 families in Naw Abad and Karte districts of Herat City. The main non-food items raised at the meeting was the urgent need for blankets, tents, plastic sheets, kitchen sets and jerry cans. A Spanish provincial reconstruction team from the NATO mission has been despatched to the worst-hit parts of Badghis.
The Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) will be providing clothes for 294 families in Naw Abad and Karte districts.
Red Cross and Red Crescent action
Based on the CDMT meetings, the ARCS Herat branch conducted flood assessments as well as acted as the humanitarian aid focal point for the distribution of food and non-food items given by other agencies as well Federation stocks to families in some of the affected areas.
An assessment team consisting of a Federation disaster management officer and ARCS technical staff members was deployed to the affected areas. The ARCS Herat branch is continuing to conduct assessments in the area with the support of the Federation and the relevant governmental agencies. The distribution plan has been completed, beneficiaries have been identified and the joint distribution of non-food items with the leading role of the ARCS will take place shortly.
Immediately after receiving the initial report, the delegation alerted all Federation sub-delegations to be on duty to monitor the flood situation until further notice. Information sharing and communication links between Kabul and the sub-delegations have been put in place.
Coordination
The ARCS, with the support of the Federation, has coordinated the disaster response with the relevant local authorities. The ICRC sub-office has been kept informed on the progress of the operation.
The International Federation undertakes activities that are aligned with its Global Agenda, which sets out four broad goals to achieve the Federation's mission to "improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity".
Map: Afghanistan: Floods in the West - Situation map
Global Agenda Goals:
- Reduce the numbers of deaths, injuries and impact from disasters.
- Reduce the number of deaths, illnesses and impact from diseases and public health emergencies.
- Increase local community, civil society and Red Cross Red Crescent capacity to address the most urgent situations of vulnerability.
- Reduce intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion and promote respect for diversity and human dignity.
All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's) in Disaster Relief and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (Sphere) in delivering quality and accountable assistance to the most vulnerable.
For support to or for further information concerning Federation programmes or operations in this or other countries, or for a full description of the national society profile, please access the Federation's website at http://www.ifrc.org
For further information:
- Afghanistan Red Crescent Society: Fatima Galaini (president); email: fatigli@yahoo.com; Mobile: +93.79.385.533
- Federation country delegation in Afghanistan: Davood Pourkhanali (head of delegation); email: davood.pourkhanali@.ifrc.org; Mobile: +93.70.274.881
- Federation regional delegation in India: Nina Nobel (acting head of regional delegation); email: nina.nobel@ifrc.org; Phone: +91.11.2411.1125
- Federation Secretariat in Geneva: Hiroto Oyama (regional officer, Asia Pacific department); email: hiroto.oyama@ifrc.org; Phone: +41.22.730.4316; Fax: +41.22.733.0395 or Nelly Khrabraya (senior assistant); email: nelly.khrabraya@ifrc.org; Phone: +41.22.730.4306; Fax: +41.22.733.0395 Naw Awad district, Herat City, was hit by floods on 16 November. It has been predicted that heavy rains will continue throughout the country for another week.