The following was issued as a press
by the ICRC delegation in Kabul on May 18
The ICRC, the Afghan Red Crescent Society
and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
have come to the aid of some 300 families in the remote Gurziwan and Belchiragh
districts of Fariab province, in northern Afghanistan, following heavy
spring floods that partially or completely destroyed their houses.
A stretch of the main road between the provincial capital Meymaneh and the town of Belchiragh has been washed away and more than 200 families have been affected in the village of Dara-i-Giaz alone. Many of them have lost all their belongings, food stocks and often also the precious topsoil from their land.
Each family has received essential household items such as tarpaulins, blankets, kitchen sets and jerrycans. Families whose houses were completely destroyed have also received a tent. In addition to an initial food ration distributed immediately after the flood, about 200 families in Gurziwan valley and 36 families in Belchiragh district have also received 200 kg of rice, beans and oil - enough for two months.
The Red Cross / Red Crescent is closely consulting with other humanitarian organizations regarding possible future aid. Northern Afghanistan is frequently affected by natural disasters such as landslides, floods and earthquakes. Backed by the ICRC and the International Federation, the Afghan Red Crescent stands ready to respond should the need arise.
For further information please contact:
Stoessel Marcel, ICRC Mazar-i-Sharif, tel. +93 799 360 944
Shabir Ahmad Kamal, Afghan Red Crescent, Mazar-i-Sharif, tel. +093 70 520
871
Mohammed Wahid Nawabi, International Federation, Mazar-i-Sharif, tel. +
93 70 501 995
email: mazar-e-sharif. mazar@icrc.org