Disaster Response Afghanistan Project #60255

HALO Afghanistan Flooding Disaster Response

A microproject by The HALO Trust

Project Report | Feb 9, 2024
Update from the Field: Flooding in Afghanistan

By Julia Tibbetts | Philanthropy & Communications

HALO has worked in Afghanistan since 1988 and is completely Afghan led. By prioritizing local recruitment, our multi-ethnic workforce can work across the country and provide much needed economic assistance through employment.

The knowledge and skills of our local Afghan workforce were incredibly useful following the torrential rainfall and later flooding throughout the central and eastern areas of Afghanistan in July 2023. This rainfall led to flash flooding in Maydan Wardak, Khost, Logar, and Kabul. The casualties were catastrophic as it is estimated that 61 people passed away, 1,360 homes were destroyed, 13,023 hectares of agricultural land were ruined, and over 1,230 livestock were killed.

In response to the flooding, HALO swiftly swung into action and deployed two mechanical units to clear roads, enabling access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance. HALO also supplied clean water and water purification kits, emphasizing the risks posed by water-borne diseases.

The rain also triggered landmines to wash down the hillsides, posing an immediate threat to the community. HALO soon deployed a quick-response team alongside mechanical units and aid conveys to clear over 120 displaced items of explosive ordnance, protecting the community.

Additional teams were also deployed to conduct rubble removal and riverbed reconstruction, assisting in post-flood recovery by redirecting newly eroded streams from vital agricultural land and preventing subsidence in the surrounding villages by building channels to allow floodwater to drain.

We are so grateful to our supporters at GlobalGiving who helped make this work possible – thank you!

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Sep 20, 2023
Update from the Field: Flooding in Afghanistan

By Julia Tibbetts | Philanthropy & Communications

On the evening of 22nd July 2023, areas of central and eastern Afghanistan were hit by torrential rainfall which triggered flash-flooding in Maydan Wardak, Khost, Logar, and Kabul. By 24th July, 31 fatalities were recorded, with a further 41 missing and 74 injured in Maydan Wardak alone. Further casualties were also reported in Kabul and Khost provinces. By 30th July, the total number of casualties had risen to 61, with a further 126,000 people directly impacted by the flash flooding which had damaged 1,360 homes, destroyed 13,023 hectares of agricultural land and killed over 1,230 livestock.

In the days following, HALO deployed two mechanical units, usually used for landmine clearance, to both Maydan Wardak and Kabul, where they cleared roads enabling access for the delivery of further humanitarian assistance.

HALO personnel also worked to ensure that communities impacted by the flood had a ready supply of clean water, providing water purification kits and highlighting the potential risks posed by water-borne diseases.

In the Paghman district, those displaced from their homes have also been forced to contend with explosive ordnance washing down from the hillsides because of the heavy rainfall. HALO deployed a multi-functional, quick-response team alongside mechanical units and aid conveys to clear over 120 displaced items of explosive ordnance, protecting the community from additional harm.

Following this initial response, HALO deployed two mechanical teams to Toika village in Maydan Wardak where they continue to conduct rubble-removal, riverbed clearance and riverbank reconstruction, assisting in post-flood recovery by redirecting newly eroded streams from vital agricultural land and preventing subsidence in the surrounding villages by building channels to allow floodwater drain. HALO anticipates it will take a few months to complete this crucial work which will allow communities in the are to better prepare for the coming winter.

As winter approaches, HALO continues to support these communities in collaboration with the greater humanitarian community. HALO's relief efforts have been made possible by your generous support. Thank you for joining us in responding to this flooding and providing the essential support to those affected.

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