In the wake of devastating floods wreaking havoc in Afghanistan, exacerbating an already critical food insecurity situation, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) issued a warning on May 22. The agency cautioned that the recent floods, likely to intensify in the coming months due to erratic weather patterns driven by the worsening climate crisis, are set to compound the hardships faced by affected communities.
The flooding, which struck regions of Afghanistan recently, has been attributed to a combination of factors including unusually high rainfall following a dry winter, making the ground impermeable, and unseasonably warm temperatures causing rapid snowmelt in the mountains. These conditions culminated in overflowing rivers and widespread inundation of villages with mud.
"With one disaster after another hitting these communities, they are being pushed back into destitution. Recent improvements in food security in Afghanistan now risk being lost," Hsiao-Wei Lee, WFP Country Director for Afghanistan, emphasized the dire situation.
The recent floods have left a trail of severe destruction, particularly in Ghor and Faryab provinces in northwest Afghanistan. Over 130 casualties have been reported, with hundreds more missing, and thousands of homes and businesses destroyed or damaged. Access to affected areas has been hampered, complicating humanitarian efforts to provide assistance.
In response to the crisis, the WFP swiftly mobilized resources, providing fortified biscuits, nutritional supplements, and distributing bread to the hardest-hit communities. However, sustained support is needed to address the unfolding humanitarian crisis. The agency has appealed for $14.5mn to bolster emergency food and nutrition assistance and resilience-building initiatives.
To mitigate the impact of future disasters, the WFP is investing in climate adaptation projects, including the construction of protective infrastructure such as walls, dams, and irrigation canals. Notably, a flood wall supported by the WFP in Baghlan province shielded hundreds of families and agricultural land during the recent heavy rains.
While humanitarian efforts are underway, the political landscape in Afghanistan also sees diplomatic engagement. Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, recently visited Afghanistan, holding discussions with Taliban officials, members of the diplomatic community, and civil society representatives.
The focus of these discussions centered on the forthcoming meeting of Special Envoys on Afghanistan in Doha, Qatar, aiming to enhance international engagement with Afghanistan in a more structured manner.
The invitation extended to the de facto Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amir Khan Muttaqi, signifies a concerted effort to promote dialogue and collaboration, despite the formidable challenges. It is noteworthy to remember that Taliban leaders were absent from the preceding round of discussions convened in February.
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