OCHA Reports Health Services Provided to Over 6,000 in Flood-Affected Areas of Afghanistan

Recent heavy rains and floods that occurred between April 7 and 16 have caused extensive damage across vast areas of Afghanistan. The disasters have led to hundreds of people being killed and injured, with thousands of homes destroyed or damaged. Hundreds of kilometers of roads and several bridges have also been damaged, along with significant harm to agricultural lands.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has stated that basic health services have reached approximately 6,300 people in the flood-affected regions. The assistance included emergency medical care, maternal and child health services, nutrition support, vaccinations and psychosocial aid.

According to the OCHA update, out of 73,300 individuals initially identified as affected, more than 31,600 have confirmed urgent needs. Assessments are continuing in 75 areas across the country. To date, over 12,000 people have benefited from some type of humanitarian assistance.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has delivered food aid to nearly 2,600 families, supplying each with two months of rations. Cash support was provided to 97 families in the western province of Herat. Additionally, water and sanitation services reached 733 families, 160 children underwent malnutrition screening, and protection services were offered to more than 2,200 people.

The flooding has also led to heightened protection risks for around 14,000 people, including potential increases in gender-based violence, child labor and mental health problems.

Despite the aid delivered, substantial challenges remain. These include damaged infrastructure, difficulties accessing some communities, delays in data collection, shortages of funding and resources, and logistical hurdles. Humanitarian agencies continue to work on addressing the most urgent needs in the affected regions.