APPEAL CODE: # 700-N
EXPANDED APPEAL GOAL: $550,421 (from $494,020)
PLEDGED TO DATE TOWARD GOAL: $185,000
SITUATION:
As noted in the initial May 7 appeal and the May 19 update, Afghanistan is experiencing severe weather affecting tens of thousands of persons. Flash floods and landslides in the country over the past weeks have affected 120,000 people across 16 provinces. Hundreds have died.
Among the most severely affected areas are the provinces of Badakhshan and Jawzjan, along with Takhar Province, which has experienced not only severe rains but also a 4.1 magnitude earthquake and landslides.
Inaccessibility remains a challenge in areas where roadways were severely damaged, where floodwaters remain, and where insecurity poses high risk to relief efforts. Overcoming these challenges will be essential to ensuring the most vulnerable families in these areas receive assistance. In Argo District, Badakhshan Province, many families continue to cope with difficulties in the aftermath of massive landslides. Many of the affected families depend on small-scale farming as their main source of income and food. In addition to meeting affected families’ emergency needs, CWS recovery efforts in the months ahead will be essential to restore livelihoods.
CWS RESPONSE:
In Badakhshan Province, CWS has distributed 863 non-food item packages (two mattresses and two pillows each) to affected families in Argo District and Kishm District. In Argo District, health and hygiene sessions benefited 219 individuals, and 114 hygiene kits have been distributed to 114 women. In Kishm District, 40 hygiene kits were distributed to 40 women, along with health and hygiene sessions which benefited 87 individuals.
Distributions are continuing.
For the next two and half months, CWS plans to target assistance to nearly 2,000 individuals directly and 3,420 indirectly, including cash-for-work projects and irrigation system improvements, along with disaster risk-reduction trainings. Also included: food packages, mattresses, transportation costs, mobile health teams.
Total cost: $550,421.
For more details, see the ACT Alliance appeal. CWS is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of churches and agencies engaged in development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy.
HOW TO HELP:
Contributions to support CWS emergency response efforts may be made online, or sent to your denomination or to Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515. For the Afghanistan Floods and Landslides Appeal, please indicate #700-N.