8 dead in Badghis; emergency aid promised

QALA-I-NAW (PAN): Eight people have been died of extreme cold in the Aab-i-Kamari district of northwestern Badghis province, officials said on Wednesday.

Residential buildings in the Muhammad Khan village have been under snow and roads blocked as a result of heavy avalanches over the past five days.

Sikandar, the village community council chief, told Pajhwok Afghan News that six children and two men had died of pneumonia and a cold wave in the area.

If residents were not supplied with relief on an emergency basis, a humanitarian crisis could hit the village, the official warned, saying 500 animals had been killed by the avalanches.

Deputy Governor Abdul Ghani Saberi, who confirmed the casualties, promised to airlift supplies to the area with the support of ISAF and Afghan soldiers.

He said emergency aid, including tents and food items, would be taken to the area tomorrow with the support of the Provincial Reconstruction).

mds/mud

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