In the heart of Afghanistan's remote Ghor Province, the devastating flash floods of mid-May have left a trail of destruction and despair. Mohammad Hassan, the sole provider for his 10-member family, endured a harrowing three-day journey in worn-out sandals to reach a relocation site after the catastrophe struck his village.
The heavy rains triggered flash floods that swept away houses and farmland, obliterating more than 2,000 homes and claiming at least 50 lives, according to the local disaster management authority. In Hassan's village alone, 600 families were impacted, with 500 facing severe hardships.
\"Heavy rains-triggered flash floods washed away everything – houses and farmland; there was no place left for us to live; 600 families lived in our village, among whom 500 families were affected severely,\" Hassan recounted. Forced to abandon his home, he now stands on a mesa scattered with makeshift camps approximately eight kilometers from Firoz Koh, the provincial capital.
The relocation site is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by flood survivors. While the local government has distributed some tents, many families, including Hassan's, have had to purchase additional shelter with borrowed money. The shortage of adequate aid continues to exacerbate the plight of those displaced by the floods.
As the community grapples with rebuilding their lives, the need for sustained support and resources remains critical to prevent further suffering and ensure a path towards recovery.
Reference(s):
Flood survivors in central Afghanistan struggle with aid shortages
cgtn.com
