Shopkeeper Nazer Mohammad ran dwelling as quickly as he heard about flash floods crashing into the outskirts of a provincial capital in northern Afghanistan. By the point he obtained there, there was nothing left, together with his household of 5.
“All the pieces occurred simply unexpectedly. I got here dwelling, however there was no dwelling there, as an alternative I noticed all of the neighborhood coated by mud and water,” mentioned Mohammad. 48. He mentioned that he buried his spouse and two sons aged 15 and eight years, however he is nonetheless on the lookout for two daughters, who’re round 6 and 11 years outdated.
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The U.N. meals company estimated that unusually heavy seasonal rains in Afghanistan have left greater than 300 individuals lifeless and hundreds of homes destroyed, most of them within the northern province of Baghlan, which bore the brunt of the deluges Friday.
Mohammad mentioned Sunday that he discovered the our bodies of his spouse and two sons late Friday night time on the outskirt of Puli Khumri, the capital of Baghlan province.
“I hope somebody has discovered my daughters alive,” he mentioned, holding again tears. “Simply within the blink of an eye fixed, I misplaced every thing: household, dwelling, belongings, now nothing is left to me.”
Amongst a minimum of 240 individuals lifeless are 51 kids, in response to UNICEF, considered one of a number of worldwide assist teams which are sending aid groups, medicines, blankets and different provides.
“The heavy rains and subsequent floods have disrupted lives and pose a major danger to kids within the affected provinces,” mentioned Tajudeen Oyewale, UNICEF Consultant in Afghanistan, in a press release. “As households address the loss, sustaining entry to secure water, well being and safety providers is paramount. As at all times, UNICEF stands with the youngsters and other people of Afghanistan throughout this troublesome time,”
The World Well being Group mentioned it delivered 7 tons of medicines and emergency kits.
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Support group Save the Youngsters mentioned about 600,000 individuals, half of them kids, reside within the 5 districts in Baghlan which were severely impacted by the floods. The group mentioned it despatched a “clinic on wheels” with cellular well being and baby safety groups to assist kids and their households.
“Lives and livelihoods have been washed away,” mentioned Arshad Malik, nation director for Save the Youngsters. “The flash floods tore by way of villages, sweeping away properties and killing livestock. Youngsters have misplaced every thing. Households who’re nonetheless reeling from the financial impacts of three years of drought urgently want help.”
He mentioned that Afghanistan was a rustic least ready to deal with local weather change patterns, such because the heavier seasonal rains, and wishes assist from the worldwide neighborhood.
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At the very least 70 individuals died in April from heavy rains and flash floods within the nation, which additionally destroyed About 2,000 properties, three mosques and 4 faculties.
