OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Afghanistan - Floods
25 April 2002


This report has been compiled on the basis of information provided by the
United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA).

Current Situation

1.  One day of heavy rains in Badghis province in western Afghanistan on
23 April caused flooding in Qala-i-Naw and Ab Kamari districts. The
Governor's office in Qala-i-Naw has reported that two people are dead and
five are missing as a result of the flash floods. According to initial
reports, 500 houses have been destroyed and 1,200 people in Qala-i-Naw and
eight surrounding villages have been affected. A number of trucks carrying
returnees from Iran and Herat have been blocked by the flooding. The
floods have destroyed surrounding roads, and although severely damaged,
the road between Herat and Qala-i-Naw is still passable. According to the
latest information, the rain has stopped in the area and the flood waters
have gradually subsided to the normal level.


National and International Response

2.  The acting Governor of Qala-i-Naw is coordinating the humanitarian
response. Agencies present in Herat and Qal-i-Naw, such as International
Rescue Committee, MSF, World Vision, Swedish Committee for Afghanistan,
and ICRC are active in responding to the emergency. Assistance provided to
date includes 800 tents (pre-positioned); 4,000 blankets; 2,000 family
packs; 2,000 pieces of clothing; 4,000 sleeping bags; 300 soap bars and 30
MTs of food. In addition, WHO and MSF have provided emergency medical
supplies.

3.  World Vision has carried out aerial and ground assessments today.
Also, an Emergency Task Force meeting took place in Herat today in the
Governor's office, at which the current situation and further humanitarian
activities were discussed. The next meeting of the Task Force is scheduled
for Saturday, 27 April.

4.  As a result of the coordinated approach and cooperation among the
Afghan authorities, UN agencies and NGOs in responding to the floods, the
urgent needs of the affected population have been met by in-country stocks
and there is no need for additional international assistance. Distribution
of emergency assistance will be finished by Saturday, 27 April.

5.  OCHA is in close contact with United Nations Offices in Afghanistan
and will revert with further information, as it becomes available.

6.  This situation report, together with further information on ongoing
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at
http://www.reliefweb.int. Maps and other information relating to the
recent natural disasters in Afghanistan can be found on the Website of the
Afghanistan Information Management Service (AIMS) at
http://www.hic.org.pk.


Telephone: +41-22-91712 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officer:
  Mr. Anvar Munavvarov, Direct Tel. +41-22-917 1669

Press contact:
  (GVA)  Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 56
  (NYC)  Mr. Oliver Ulich direct Tel. +1-212-963 82 63


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