ReliefWeb

06.05.2014

Berlin – Just a few days after the devastating landslide in Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan, which borders on Tajikistan, the Federal Ministry for Economic Co­op­er­a­tion and De­vel­op­ment (BMZ) is making available one million euros for reconstruction and disaster preparedness in the region.

Minister Müller said, "The families concerned have virtually lost everything in this terrible disaster. They need help as a matter of urgency. We will support reconstruction through this funding, which we are making available at short notice."

Last Friday, the landslide in Afghanistan killed many people. According to the latest figures, the death toll has reached more than 2,100. The village of Hobo Barik has been buried under several metres of mud. The mountainous and remote province of Badakhshan, which is a low-income region within Afghanistan, is often hit by natural disasters such as landslides, floods, droughts and earthquakes. In the region, German de­vel­op­ment workers are able to build on existing contacts and arrangements as they assist local authorities in rebuilding the com­mu­ni­ty.

The BMZ is supporting civilian de­vel­op­ment in Afghanistan with an annual 250 million euros. It will continue that support after the ISAF mandate ends in late 2014.