13 May 2010 - A joint mission of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) has brought aid to flood victims in western Afghanistan where heavy flooding has so far claimed the lives of at least 70 people.

Hundreds of houses have also been destroyed and thousands of livestock have perished, according to officials of the National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) who said both food and non-food items are urgently needed in the flood-stricken areas.

Herat, Ghor and Badghis provinces are the worst affected by the flood, according to local officials.

The joint UNAMA-ANDMA mission was conducted just hours after the flood to rush emergency food and non-food assistance to thousands of flood-affected individuals in the three western provinces.

Assistance came in the form of children’s kits, jerry cans, blankets, biscuits, tarpaulin packs and tents.

United Nations relief teams also sent assistance to affected families in dire need of help in Ghor and Badghis provinces.

The Bala-Morqhab district of Badghis province is one of the worst-affected areas. However, the area is inaccessible to both government and humanitarian agencies. Assessment is now being conducted by community elders led by UNAMA and ANDMA on how to deliver humanitarian assistance to the remote district.

By Fraidoon Poya, UNAMA