Published Wednesday June 12th, 2024
Written by Hussain Ali Haidari
Recent Floods in Afghanistan: Tens of Thousands of Children are Exposed to Lasting Threats
| The U.N. International Children’s Fund released a statement that tens of thousands of children remain affected by ongoing floods. The statement, which was published on Monday, June 3, noted that children are especially affected in the northern provinces of Afghanistan (Baghlan and Badakhshan) and Ghor province in western Afghanistan. UNICEF urged the international community increase its efforts and investments to support communities to reduce and adapt to the effects of climate change on children in Afghanistan. Also, UNICEF and humanitarian organizations should prepare themselves for natural disasters in the future: “The international community must redouble efforts and investments to support communities to alleviate and adapt to the impact of climate change on children,” said Dr. Tajudeen Oyewale, the UNICEF representative in Afghanistan. At the same time, UNICEF and the humanitarian community must prepare ourselves for a new reality of climate-related disasters,” Oyewale said. According to him, floods have affected many families and children, who have become more dependent on charity aid than before. He added that the fight against this situation could be won with stronger preparation measures and with the cooperation of partners. According to UNICEF, the recent bad climate change situation in Afghanistan is a continuation of the climate crisis that is rapidly increasing intensity. Surviving flood victims say that they and their children are facing severe problems and do not have access to any basic living facilities. According to the statistics published by UNICEF, in the recent floods in Baghlan, Badakhshan and Ghor provinces, 350 people have lost their lives, including children, 7,800 houses have been destroyed, and more than 5,000 families have been displaced. Ghor province is the most recent province to be ravaged by devastating floods in recent days. According to figures provided by the Taliban, at least 50 people have died in this province, and thousands of homes have been destroyed, with livestock swept away by the floods. The World Food Programme (WFP) has also confirmed that 2,500 families in Ghor have been affected by the floods. Ahmadullah, a flood victim from Ghor province, told the Hasht-e Subh Daily, “The floods have swept away cars and everything in their path. Not a single bridge remains; they are all destroyed. Think about how many bridges and culverts there were in Ghor, especially in the flood-affected areas. These cannot be rebuilt without? millions of dollars. Now imagine the damage to infrastructure across Afghanistan. The Taliban are indifferent, telling people to pray and that God has brought this calamity upon them.” The recent floods in several provinces have not only caused loss of life and financial damage but have also put historical monuments and ancient sites at risk of destruction. |