By Blessing Chinagorom
The Government and the people of South Africa have stood in solidarity with those victims of the devastating floods in northern Afghanistan which claimed more than 300 lives.
According to the statement released by the Presidency in Pretoria on Monday, expressed sadness over this tragedy and lauded the emergency rescue and medical personnel in their tireless efforts of life-saving.
The South Africa extended heartfelt condolences to the people of Afghanistan following these flash floods and offered its deepest sympathy to those families who lost their loved ones as well as their homes. “Our thoughts are with people of Afghanistan”.
The World Food Programme separately confirmed that the floods killed more than 300 people and destroyed more than 1000 houses.
“This has been one of many floods over the last few weeks, due to unusually heavy rainfall. WFP is now distributing fortified biscuits to the survivors,” it said in a statement.
The crisis-hit country is already recovering from the deadly earthquakes that struck the country late last year, where thousands were killed.
It was reported that Salma Ben Aissa, Afghanistan Director for the International Rescue Committee (ICRC), said the floods “caused a major humanitarian emergency” in the country.
She noted that Afghanistan “is still reeling from string of earthquakes at the beginning of this year as well as severe flooding in March.”
“The continuation of climate-induced disasters in Afghanistan ought to be cause for grave concern: devastated by decades of conflict and economic crisis, the country has faced setback after setback as it tries to find its feet,” the ICRC official said.
Ben Aissa stressed that the devastating climate disasters “should sound an alarm bell for world leaders and international donors. We call upon them to not forget Afghanistan during these turbulent global times. Afghans need our support now more than ever,” she said.
The UN also said that Afghanistan remains among “the world’s top 10 climate impacted countries.” It faced decades of conflicts that exacerbated dire humanitarian and economic situation, particularly following the Taliban’s capture of Kabul in 2021.
