On April 20 (Wed), the Government of Japan
decided to extend emergency assistance in kind equivalent to about 13 million
yen (approx. 12.5 thousand dollars) including tents, blankets and plastic
sheets to the Government of Afghanistan, which has sustained great damage
from flooding caused by heavy rains.
In Afghanistan, after a most severe
winter with the heaviest snow for several years, snow melt in March and
rainfalls caused heavy flooding, mainly in the Northern part of the country.
The flooding has now been spread to a wide area of the Central and the
Western parts by heavy rainfall since the end of March, resulting in more
than 200 people dead, numerous people missing and at least 2,500 families
affected. There are signs that more flooding can be expected.
As people in wide areas of the country are affected, the Government of Afghanistan has set up a Joint Operation Center with the United Nations and started relief operations while calling on the international community for emergency assistance.
The Government of Japan has decided to extend this emergency assistance from a humanitarian point of view for those affected by the natural disaster, taking account of the friendly relations between Japan and Afghanistan.
(END)