UN RESPONDS TO FLOODS, LANDSLIDES IN AFGHANISTAN

UN RESPONDS TO FLOODS, LANDSLIDES IN AFGHANISTAN

NEW YORK, 22 July (OCHA) -- United Nations agencies -- together with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), the Afghan Government and other partners -- are distributing relief items in the north-eastern province of Badakshan.

Heavy rains last week have triggered devastating floods, mudslides and landslides in central and northern Afghanistan.  In the district of Khamard, which lies in the central province of Bamyan, 4,000 people have been directly affected, and over 340 houses have been destroyed.  Additionally, 60 per cent of the harvest has been ruined, a considerable area of farmland has been damaged by debris, and much livestock has been lost.  Landslides have blocked roads to the affected areas.  After they are cleared, the United Nations and its partners will conduct further assessment and relief missions to affected villages there.

Provincial authorities in Bamyan have asked the United Nations Resident Coordinator for help in dislodging the dam created by debris and mudslides.  There is concern that if the dam should burst, a number of villages will be destroyed.  Also, the stagnant muddy water could become a breeding ground for water-borne diseases.

Also involved in the relief effort is the Government of Denmark, which recently allocated $18,500 from its Emergency Grant for road clearance work in Khamard and the transportation of relief items to affected populations.

For further information, please call:  Stephanie Bunker, OCHA New York,  tel: 917 367 5126, mobile 917 892 1679; Madelaine Moulin-Acevedo, OCHA Geneva, tel: 41 22- 917 3160.

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