OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Afghanistan: Floods
13 November 2006


This report is based on information received from the United Nations 
Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

I. SITUATION

1. Torrential rains in eastern Afghanistan caused flash floods and the 
death of 3 people. The floods occurred in the early morning hours of 
Friday, November 10th in the Beghsood district of Nangahar province. The 
province experienced similar floods earlier this year.

2. The Provincial Emergency Response Commission, in collaboration with 
the UN Regional Team, conducted follow-up assessments on November 11th 
and 12th and concluding that the houses of 172 families were damaged. 
The majority of these houses had recently been built in flood-risk 
areas. A rapid assessment done the day before by the Afghan Red Crescent 
Society (ARCS) indicated that the floods had affected 156 households. 
These figures clearly suggest a less severe situation than reported by 
some media.

II. NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

3. As an initial response the ARCS distributed kitchen sets to 156 
flood-affected households and tents to 50 flood-affected households on 
Friday. Government, national and international organizations later 
distributed emergency cash, food and non-food items to 172 affected 
families on Monday, 13 November.

4. The Government of Afghanistan is leading relief efforts with 
substantial support from UNAMA, and the national and international aid 
community. The Afghan Ministry of Public Health dispatched a medical 
team to the area and conducted medical assessments with the assistance 
of UNICEF. This was followed by an additional assessment done by the 
Ministry of Rural Development (MRRD), the Department for Disaster 
Preparedness (DDP) and other members of the Provincial Emergency 
Response Commission. Thanks to a swift response further life-threatening 
situations were avoided.

5. On Saturday the Provincial Emergency Response Commission in Nangahar 
met in the afternoon to verify the results of the assessments and to 
agree on further action. The UN Regional Team (UNRT) participated in the 
meeting and will contribute to the emergency relief effort with 
resources and expertise.

6. On the national level and in support of the Provincial Commission, 
the UNAMA Humanitarian Unit met with representatives of the Department 
for Disaster Preparedness (DDP), the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) 
and the Ministries of Refugees (MoRR), Rural Development (MRRD) and 
Public Health (MoPH). The Ministry of Rural Development and the Ministry 
of Public Health both have additional resources on standby.

7. Widespread poverty and the current conflicts involving land 
allocations suggest it is likely that the rehabilitation of damaged 
houses could become a political issue. UNAMA advised the Department for 
Disaster Preparedness (DDP) to conduct an After Action Review in 
Nangahar to identify shortfalls and gaps to ensure more effective 
coordination of relief efforts in the future.

8. The UNAMA Humanitarian Unit and Field Office will continue to monitor 
the situation and assist the Afghan Government in the emergency response 
effort. However, at this time no further deterioration is expected.

Telephone: +41-22-917 12 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:
  Ms. Ylva Blondel
    E-mail: blondel@un.org
    Direct Tel. +41-22-917 1587
  Ms. Heidi Kuttab
    E-mail: kuttab@un.org
    Direct Tel. + 1-917 367 2236

Press contact:
  GVA - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
  NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, direct Tel. +1-917 367 5126

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