On the evening of July 22nd, Afghanistan experienced torrential rainfall across several parts of the country, causing flash flooding. The provinces of Maidan Wardak and Kabul in central Afghanistan experienced some of the most extreme flooding, resulting in loss of life of over 31 people, at least 41 people missing, the destruction of several hundred homes, and over 250 families translating to an estimated 3,000 people in desperate need of food and water. HALO is responding to this emergency.
Chronic food insecurity, poverty, scarcity of safe water, and weakened access to infrastructure leave families particularly vulnerable to this disaster. Current estimates are that up to 3,000 people are without anything to eat or drink. Additionally, HALOs aid is supporting marginalized Hazara and Tajik communities, further at risk of displacement from this emergency. The situation is still evolving and casualty and impact data growing throughout the week.
HALO is responding to the flooding. We are providing food packages from our existing stock, buckets, serving equipment, and ensuring access to drinkable water through daily use of a 30,000L water tanker. We are also using our front loaders to clear roads and enable access for wider aid to reach those in need. HALO has also sent a quick response team to dispose of ammunition and explosive items that were washed down from the mountains into the community by the flood waters.
HALO's extensive logistical capacity in Afghanistan allows us to quickly and effectively respond in times of disaster and crisis. Our work also has a huge stabilizing affect on communities through employment and training. HALO's program in Afghanistan is completely Afghan led, with an ethnically diverse workforce of over 2,500 staff, recruited directly from towns and villages affected, who work every day to help their country.
