Flood-affected families in Panjsher, Kunar demand aid

FAIZ ABAD/ASADABAD/CHARIKAR (Pajhwok): The flood affected families of Kofab district in northern Badakhshan received flood assistance but vulnerable families in eastern Kunar and northern Panjshir demanded immediate aid, officials said on Thursday.  

At least six persons were killed, 54 houses, agricultural land, 12 small dams and 10 irrigation channels were damaged in last week devastated floods in Kofab district, an official said.

Syed Abdullah Dehqan, director Afghanistan Natural Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) told Pajhwok Afghan News that Agha Khan Development Network (AKDN) sent medical team and also distributed food items for ten days.

The aid included flour, edible oil, tea and sugar. World Food Program (WFP) also supported two months ration consisting flour edible oil, beans and salt, he said.

Red Crescent also had provided 26 tents, tarpaulins, kitchen utensils and 186 tents, he added.

The flood affected families had warned last week that their children would die of hunger had they not been provided with immediate assistance.

Separately, local elders in Kunar demanded emergency assistance from Governor Wahidullah Kalimzai.

The elders said that displaced families did not have shelter while floods had wreaked havoc and destroyed culverts, irrigation channels, crops and roads and caused transportation problems. The flood affected families had not received any support so far, they said.

The elders urged on provincial government to demand assistance from the central government and accelerate efforts to get the attention of international community for assistance.

Governor Kalimzai assured to send survey teams to the area and would provide every possible support.

Several other families in other districts had been affected by the recent flash floods triggered by heavy torrential rains.

Gul Aqa who hails from Dawam district in Panjsher said around 600 meter road, 25 acres agricultural land, hundreds of fruit trees in orchards had been completely destroyed in recent floods in the area.

Rahili Aatayee, deputy head Panjsher provincial council, said floods had destroyed roads and agricultural lands in Dawam, Abshar, Qaulandur and Aanabi districts.

shah/rm