July 16, 2024 — Heavy windstorms, rain, and flash floods have struck many areas across Afghanistan, including Jalalabad city, Surkhrod, Lalpura, Goshta, Momanadara , Batikot and Behsud districts of Nangarhar. Over 35 lives have been lost, with more than 350 injured and thousands stranded without access to services and basic facilities.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has deployed a mobile health team to the worst affected areas of Surkhrod district in Nangarhar, and is preparing to deploy two emergency response teams, who will deliver emergency health services to those who have been injured or are cut off from accessing mainstream services as a result of the storms. Together with the tragic loss of lives, the storms have led to widespread damage and casualties. Infrastructure such as bridges, roads, and homes has been destroyed. This area is still recovering from devastating floods that occurred two months ago, with many families still sheltering outside as they struggle to rebuild their homes.
Salma ben Aissa, IRC Afghanistan Director, said,
“The loss of life and devastation in flood-affected areas is a fresh disaster for Afghanistan. Our thoughts are with the people impacted by this tragedy and the first responders working to rescue and provide medical care to families and individuals.
“As part of the response efforts, the International Rescue Committee in Afghanistan is mobilizing teams to provide crucial support to the affected areas and deploying teams to conduct assessments and provide emergency health services to those in need.
“The continuation of climate-induced disasters in Afghanistan ought to be cause for grave concern: decades of conflict and economic crisis has meant that the country has faced setback after setback as it tries to find its feet. The sad reality is that without a massive increase in support from donors and the international community, many more will lose their lives.”
See here for latest IRC stories, photos and video footage from the flood affected areas in Afghanistan.
The IRC began working in Afghanistan in the 1980s and for more than four decades we have provided life-changing support to people affected by conflict and natural disasters. Currently, we have 5,002 staff members in Afghanistan–99% of them are Afghan. Our staff are responding to the triple threat of hunger, economic collapse and the near-total breakdown in public services. The IRC delivers services in 13 provinces; in 2023, we reached 7 million clients.