Afghanistan: Severe winter conditions in western regions (Herat, Farah, Badghis, Ghor) OCHA Situation Report No. 2

This report is developed by the UNAMA Office in Afghanistan and is based on information provided by the Governor's Office, 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 259 fatalities have been reported so far in the four provinces of Herat, Farah, Badghis, and Ghor in addition to thousands of head of livestock.

- Priority needs include food for vulnerable communities, non-food items, particularly blankets, clothing, tarpaulins and heaters, fuel as well as fodder for livestock.

SITUATION

1. The harshest winter weather conditions in nearly 30 years have caused fatalities, hardship and major access problems in the Western and Central Highlands Regions, with unusually heavy snow falls over the past month. Temperatures have fallen below minus 25 degrees Celsius. The provinces of Herat, Farah, Badghis, and Ghor in Western Regions are severely affected. The number of people killed in winter-related incidents and exposure to the cold continues to increase. Some 259 fatalities have been reported so far in the four provinces, in addition to thousands of head of livestock. The majority of roads are closed and access by air is restricted.

2. The main outstanding needs are for food, fuel and NFIs. In Herat, access is easier and is improving, although several areas in Ghorian and Farsi Districts remain inaccessible by road.

3. Information for Herat suggests that 8,000 families (48,000 people) have been affected and require assistance. Information for Ghor and Bagdhis remains scarce, while for the province of Farah, the security situation has curtailed access for assessments and verification.

NATIONAL RESPONSE

4. Provincial authorities are at the forefront of the coordination efforts under the guidance of the provincial Governors supported by the Afghan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA), and the Department of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (DRRD).

5. DRRD has distributed 2133 of 3 litres cans of oil out of a total of 2500 donated by commercial companies in Herat province. DRRD acts as the conduit for channelling private contributions to the affected communities and is also involved in coordinating road clearance activities with the relevant Ministries.

6. The Afghanistan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) has mobilized health teams in Herat province and has distributed NFIs to vulnerable families (items donated by ICRC and IFRC). ARCS hase already distributed 20MT of food in Ghorian district.

Map: Afghanistan: Avalanches and Heavy Snowfalls (as of 17 Jan 2008) - Situation Map

For detailed information please contact:

Desk Officer (New York)
Ms. Heidi Kuttab
Office Tel: + 1 917 367-3365
Office Fax: +1 212 963-3630
E-mail: kuttab@un.org

Humanitarian Affairs Officer GCMS (Geneva)
Ms. Aoibheann O'Keeffe
Office Tel: +41 22 917 4329
E-mail: okeeffe@un.org

OCHA Regional Office for the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia
Mr. Abdul Haq Amiri
Head of Office Dubai
Office Tel. + 917 4 368 1022
Office Fax + 917 4 368 1023
E-mail: amiri@un.org

Press Contact:
(New York)
Ms. Stephanie Bunker
Office Tel : + 1 917-367-5126
Office Fax: + 1 212-963-1312
Email: bunker@un.org

Ms. Christina Bennett
Office Tel: + 1 917 367 8059
Office Fax: + 1 212 963 1312
Email: bennett1@un.org

(Geneva)
Ms. Elizabeth Byrs
Office Tel + 41 22 917 26 53
Office Fax + 41 22 917 00 20
E-mail: byrs@un.org