Emergency assistance reaches flood victims in the north

Following heavy flooding in the northern provinces of Bamian, Badakhshan and Samangan, food aid and emergency assistance has been dispatched to some of the affected areas, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said on Sunday. According to UNAMA, seven doctors are now in the area of three remote villages - Deqala, Bajga and Ruy Sang in the Kahmard district of Bamian - recently badly hit by flooding, as a result of coordinated efforts by the provincial government, UNAMA, the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) - coalition troops engaged in reconstruction work - and aid agencies. The World Food Programme (WFP) is assessing immediate food needs, the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is looking at the needs of internally displaced people (IDPs) and the New Zealand PRT is providing overall support to the process. "At this time, the number of displaced people is not known. We have received reports, however, that two children aged approximately two and eight have died in this district," UN spokesman Manoel de Almeida e Silva told IRIN. He said Deqala was the site closest to Ajar where a large body of surface water had built up, preventing villagers from accessing a spring which was the area's primary source of clean water. The large body of stagnant water was also a potential hazard, that could lead to water borne diseases and the destruction of agricultural land, Manoel added. UNAMA said UN teams were on the ground in Shohada and Jurm in Badakhshan to asses areas that had been severely flooded by heavy rains on Saturday. "In Darghab village, Shohada district, around 31 houses have been completely destroyed. Eight people, including five women and children, have died while 13 others have been injured." Manoel said. UNAMA said that in the villages of Hatta, Chab-dara and Da-i-Dara in Jurm district more than 20 houses had been destroyed but as yet they had no information on casualties. All the affected families had been registered by the World Food Programme (WFP) and would receive food assistance, tents and emergency kits. Meanwhile, a Natural Disaster Management Task Force, comprised of UN and government representatives, was assessing flooded areas in parts of Ruyi Du Ab district of Samangan province. "Information gathered to date indicates that up to 100 families have displaced and severe crop damage has occurred in Samangan province," Manoel said.