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are active in over 183 c ountries.
In Brief
This Bulletin (no. 02/2006) 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
The northern regions of Afghanistan have been experiencing floods in recent weeks caused by the warm weather melting the snow and seasonal rains, with Faryab province being badly affected.
Based on preliminary surveys jointly conducted by the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) Faryab branch and the ministry of rural rehabilitation department (MRRD) on 10 May, it was estimated that the floods have affected about 200 families in this province. In Belcheragh district, 105 houses were completely destroyed, five houses were partially damaged, 0.124 hectares of agricultural land was submerged in water, 213 livestock were killed, and 14 water dams and 12 mills were destroyed. There were no reported casualties in this district. In Pashtoon Kot district, seven houses were completely destroyed, 0.047 hectares of agricultural land was submerged in water, 70 livestock were killed, 34 water dams collapsed and 11 mills were destroyed. In Khwaja Sabzpoosh district four houses were completely destroyed, 180 livestock were killed, 0.069 hectares of agricultural land was submerged, 16 mills were destroyed and 11 water dams were destroyed. Almar district was spared from massive destruction and only a small number of livestock were killed there during the floods.
Red Cross and Red Crescent action
On 11 May, the ARCS Faryab branch and the Federation distributed non-food items and the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) distributed food items to 121 families (approximately 847 beneficiaries) affected by the floods in the four districts in Faryab province.
The ARCS Faryab branch distributed 125 tents, 350 blankets, 250 plastic sheets, 125 pressure cookers, salt and rice from its emergency stock.
The Federation distributed 250 jerry cans, 150 blankets and 125 kitchen sets from its Mazar warehouse and ICRC distributed 2,541 kg of oil (21 kg per family), 15,246 kg of rice (126 kg per family), 363 kg of salt (3 kg per family) and 5,082 kg of beans (42 kg per family). ICRC also provided the vehicles to transport these food and nonfood items out to the beneficiaries.
Additionally, MRRD has dispatched 500 tents and 1,000 blankets to the affected people in Faryab province.
The World Food Programme will also be providing food and non-food items to the affected people of Faryab province.
Coordination
In addition to the food and non-food distribution, ARCS, Federation and ICRC will be conducting a joint flood assessment mission to Faryab province from 12 May to 16 May.
For further information:
Afghanistan Red Crescent Society: Fatima Gailani (president); Mobile: +93.79.385.533 Federation country delegation in Afghanistan: Dovood Pourkhanali (head of delegation); email: davood.pourkhanali@.ifrc.org; Mobile: +93.70.278.372 or +92.30.0850.6861
Federation regional delegation in India: Bob McKerrow (head of regional delegation); email: bob.mckerrow@ifrc.org; Phone: +91.11.2411.1125
Federation Secretariat in Geneva: Jagan Chapagain (regional officer, Asia Pacific department); email: jagan.chapagain@ifrc.org; Phone: +41.22.730.4316; Fax: +41.22.733.0395 or Nelly Khrabraya (regional officer, Asia Pacific department); email: nelly.khrabraya@ifrc.org; Phone: +41.22.730.4306; Fax: +41.22.733.0395
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 (NGOs) in Disaster Relief and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (Sphere) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable.
For longer-term programmes in this or other countries or regions, please refer to the Federation's Annual Appeal. For support to or for further information concerning Federation programmes or operations in this or other countries, or for national society profiles, please also access the Federation's website at http://www.ifrc.org