OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Afghanistan: Floods
24 November 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

This report is based on information received from the United Nations 
Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

I. SITUATION

1. Torrential rains in Western Afghanistan caused flash floods and the 
death of 66 people leaving more than 100 missing. The floods were 
triggered during the night on Thursday, November 16th in the Province of 
Badghis. The most severely affected districts are Murghab and Ghormach. 
It has been reported that 3,515 families have been affected, with 
significant loss of livestock.

2. The response has been on a national, regional and provincial level. 
Vice-President Khalili immediately called a National Emergency Response 
Commission (NERC) meeting to address the situation, whilst the Combined 
Disaster Management Team (CDMT) met at a provincial level led by the 
Governor.

II. NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

3. Most of the UN response is being coordinated from Herat where 
emergency stocks are already pre-positioned. These were taken by road to 
Qali-e-Naw (the provincial capital). WFP has sent 127 MT, and UNHCR has 
sent 50 tents, 1,000 blankets, 500 plastic sheets, 20 jerry cans and 500 
lanterns. UNICEF, with air support from ISAF, flew in 525 kg chlorine 
power, 800 family kits, 1,600 tarpaulins and 3,200 warm jackets. The 
Spanish Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) has also distributed 32MT 
of relief supplies.

4. The Government of Afghanistan is leading relief efforts with 
substantial support from UNAMA, and the national and international aid 
community. The Afghan Ministry of Public Health along with ARCS and WHO 
dispatched a medical team to the area along with 1 MT of medical 
supplies.

5. On Wednesday the Regional Combined Disaster management team (RCDMT) 
met in Herat to discuss the situation in Badghis. Serious concerns have 
been raised about the lack of information coming out of the area in 
regard to casualties and damage to property. The Team has lobbied for 
ARCS and BRAC to carry out a joint mission and they have left from 
Qali-e-naw for Ghormach (about 200km). Agencies are reluctant to send 
additional supplies until more information is available, in terms of who 
is affected and how.

6. Today the National Emergency Response Commission met and is pleased 
with the level of support shown in response to the floods. Japanese 
relief arrived today including blankets, tents and plastic sheeting; 
these will be airlifted to by Afghan national Army and ISAF to the 
affected areas. The Commission's main issue of concern is flooding in 
additional provinces, and the lack of information and at times false 
reporting of such incidents.

8. The UNAMA Humanitarian Unit and Field Offices will continue to 
monitor the situation and assist the Afghan Government in the emergency 
response effort. However, at this time no further deterioration is 
expected.

Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org
In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
  Ms. Nahla Rifai
    Direct Tel. +41-22-917 3194
    E-mail: rifai@un.org

  Ms. Esty Sutyoko
    E-mail: sutyoko@un.org
    Direct Tel. + 1-917 367 2234

Press contact:
  GVA - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs     direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
  NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker    direct Tel. +1-917 367 5126

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