Flash Floods in Northern Afghanistan - UNICEF Humanitarian Situation Update #1

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Highlights

• On 10 and 11 May, heavy rainfall and flash floods struck northeastern Afghanistan, affecting 21 districts across Badakhshan (5), Baghlan (10) and Takhar (6) provinces. 
• To date, reports suggest that 180 people have been confirmed killed and 280 injured. 
• Among the most affected districts are Burka and Baghlani Jadid in Baghlan Province where 80 per cent of deaths have been recorded. Rising water levels continue to be reported in a total of 6 districts of Baghlan province (Baghlani Jadid, Nahrin, Burka, Pul Khumri, Dahan e Ghori Doshi and Guzargah Noor, district). The weekend’s rains have caused the largest flooding event in Afghanistan so far this year. Prior to this flooding episode, 30,055 people (4,095 families) had been affected by floods across the country, mainly in the southern and western regions. 
• Preliminary reports suggest that during the period 16-17 May, over 2,500 families were also affected by flooding in Ghor Province.
• UNICEF Emergency Response Teams are on the ground supporting ongoing immediate interventions in the affected areas through water trucking, provision of essential supplies including hygiene kits, family kits, blankets, tarpaulin, and multi-purpose cash. 
• Plans are underway to scale up ongoing health, WASH, education, nutrition, child protection, social behaviour change and emergency cash transfer interventions in the affected areas. UNICEF is also developing a costed response plan primarily focusing on the most flood affected provinces in the northern and western regions.