9 May 2010 - The following is an update on the floods situation in Afghanistan by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Northern region:

Faryab province:

The Provincial Governor reported that a total of 19 people have been killed by floods in eight districts (Almar, Bilchiragh, Dawlatabad, Ghormach, Gurziwan. Khoja Sabz Posh, Maimana city, and Pashton Kot). On 7 May, the PDMC created seven assessment teams to visit the affected areas over the next three days. Since the PG reports 80 percent of affected districts’ roads are damaged, the PRT is providing helicopter support for the transport of assessment teams.

Jawzjan province:

ANDMA reports that there are 1,800-2,500 flood-affected families in 14 villages Fayzabad district. Since 5 May, a reported 550 families have been displaced by rising water to two locations (a bridge and a school). There is no road access to most of the affected villages due to the water level (boat access is possible); a mobile health clinic and tankered water is available at one site. Government-led assessments are ongoing since 4 May; IOM conducted an assessment on 8 May and WFP/WHO/UNICEF are planning a joint assessment. Flood damage is also reported in Aqcha, Darzab, Qosh Tepa, and Shibergan city.

Balkh province:

The District Governor reports that Barghae Turkmani village (pop 2,000 families) is cut off by flood water and helicopter evacuation is needed; the provincial authorities have been informed. Flooding affected Mazar city on 3-4 May and UNICEF and WFP provided NFIs and food to 97 flood affected families.

Samangan province:

Flooding is reported to have affected Ruyi Du Ab district on 2 May and Dara-i-Sufi Bala district on 5-6 May; access roads are reported to be blocked.

Sari Pul province:

The District Governor reported 2 people killed, 7 injured, and 290 families affected by floods in Balkhab district; an inter-agency team consisting of government and NGOs is currently conducting an assessment.

Central Highlands:

Bamyan province:

At a PDMC meeting on 9 May, ANDMA provided a preliminary overview of reported flood damages: 3 people killed, 126 injured, 1 clinic destroyed, 640 houses damaged or destroyed, approximately 100,000 jeribs of farmland and over a million trees damaged, and over a thousand livestock killed in seven districts (Bamyan center, Kahmard, Panjab, Waras, Saighan, Yakawlang, Shiber). Assessment teams are in Khamard,, Panjab, and Waras and the PRT has agreed to open blocked roads to the other districts.

ANDMA, OCHA, IOM, DoRRD, and ARCS met on 9 May to hold a preliminary discussion on a minimum package of food, NFIs, and shelter to be made available to families in need of assistance, pending final reports from assessment teams.

Dai Kundi province:

The PDMC has reported that there were 11 casualties from the floods to date, and that a damaged clinic in Kadanak is closed.

The PDMC met on 7 May and dispatched four assessment teams consisting of PDMC/DDMC members and PC members to affected areas (Kitti and Kijran; Khedir and Sangtakht; Shahristan and Mirmor; and Astarlai and Nili); Oxfam and ACF are also joining two teams. Agencies provided information on available stocks and an update is being compiled. An assessment team (MoPH, ANDMA, MoRRD, and ARCS) was also deployed from Kabul on 7 May and met with the PDMC and made a site visit to Khedir. Road clearance has been identified as a priority, especially the road to Bamyan/Kabul to be able to receive supplies.

Western region:

Ghor province:

An assessment team (CRS, ARCS, MoRRD, and MAIL) reached Lal on 6 May and has travelled on to flood-affected areas but is slowed by road conditions; the team plans to assess North, South, and West Dulaina, where flood damage is reported. Another team (consisting of DoPW, MAIL, DG office, CRS, and DoRRD) were dispatched to Sharak district and expected to be able to start an assessment on 8 May.

ISAF Regional Command West reports 11 deaths and 2,500 families affected by flooding in Lal. The Lithuanian PRT is providing 2,000 Kgs of flour and 20 l of cooking oil in Charsada district; 1,500 Kgs of flour and 150 l of cooking oil in Cheghcharan town, and plans to provide 500 Kgs of flour and 50 l of cooking oil to IDPs in the Cheghcharan region. No assessment results from Cheghcheran are available to date.

Badghis province:

An assessment in Bala Murghab by community elders is underway; however the affected area is inaccessible to both the government and humanitarian actors.

Herat province:

ANDMA reported on 8 May that Pashtun Zarghon area was affected by floods and an assessment is underway by ANDMA.

On 9 May, the ANA delivered assistance to 200 flood-affected families (food and NFIs, as well as a bulldozer for debris clearance) in Obe district at the request of the Provincial Governor. Regional Command-West reports that assistance has been provided by the Italian PRT (3 Mts food and 150 blankets), RC West CJ9 (200 blankets, 15 tents, and 220 kg food), and Cooperazione Italiana (30 tents).

Northeastern region:

Kunduz province:

Floods reportedly affected five districts in Kunduz on 6 May; on 8 May the PDMC formed four assessment teams that were dispatched to Archi, Aliabad, Khan Abad, and Imam Sahib districts. Due to security concerns there is no NGO or UN participation in the assessment teams.

Baghlan province:

In addition to the five assessment teams deployed on 6 May, three additional teams were identified on 7 May. Most teams have both government and NGO representation. Teams have not yet been deployed to Guzarga Nur, Jilga and Khost because of a lack of vehicles.

The Pul-i-Khumri assessment is complete and about 356 households were affected (185 of which had homes completely destroyed). ARCS has NFIs available for the affected families; USAID has contributed 2,000 water bottles, and Mercy Corps will provide quilts and jackets.

Other assessment results are not yet available.

Takhar province:

Five assessment teams are deployed. Only results for Yangi Qala are received to date: ANDMA reports 173 families in four villages affected; ARCS has distributed NFIs to 130 families and provided 100 tents.

Badakhshan province: ANDMA has received preliminary reports from DDMCs of flood damage in Raghistan, Yawan and Yaftal Payan from 6-8 May that killed three people, injured 10 people, and damaged 10 houses.

Civil-military coordination:

Regarding the distributions by PRT, ISAF, and ANA mentioned above, OCHA is meeting with ISAF to develop guidelines and clarification for the military regarding their role during an emergency and interaction with the humanitarian community. This includes participating in existing coordination forums and information sharing at provincial levels, and the use of air assets for assessments, delivery of assistance, and rescue operations.

Website: OCHA Afghanistan