The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has airlifted emergency supplies to assist flood victims in the Balamurghab and Ghormach districts in the western Afghanistan province of Badghis. On November 16 heavy rains caused flooding in the region, killing and injuring dozens and damaging homes and property. Because many in the region lead nomadic lifestyles and live in simple huts, damage has been particularly severe.
As of November 20, the flooding had reportedly killed 66 people, left around 100 missing, and displaced some 50,000 from their homes. In addition an estimated 3,500 homes were destroyed and 500,000 heads of livestock killed. The number of victims is expected to increase, and there are concerns that fierce winter weather will only worsen conditions.
JICA is providing nearly 21 million yen in emergency relief supplies based on a request from the government of Afghanistan to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On the evening of November 22, JICA shipped 100 tents, 1,000 blankets, 352 sleeping mats, and 48 plastic sheets from its emergency relief storehouse in Frankfurt.
The supplies are scheduled to arrive in the Afghan capital of Kabul, via Luxembourg and Azerbaijan, on November 23. After a handover ceremony in Kabul, the International Security Assistance Force will airlift the supplies to the disaster-hit province of Badghis.