Rescue Efforts Amid Tragic Flooding in Afghanistan Save Young Lives
Amidst the devastating floods in Baghlan province, northern Afghanistan, three young children are found on the roof of a mosque, covered in mud. Rescuers work tirelessly to pull them to safety, offering hope in the midst of a heartbreaking natural disaster.
Three confused kids are sitting on the roof of a mosque in Baghlan province, northern Afghanistan. They are trying to clear the mud that is all over their bodies by blinking their eyes.
Next to them, a rescuer is carefully lowering their 2-year-old baby brother named Arian onto the rooftop. A sheet is tied around his waist, which was used to pull him out from the strong floodwaters below.
The rescuer in the video said, "Let's take off the rope from his body and bring his mother to hold him in her arms and keep him warm."
In the past few days, the United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) reported that at least 300 people have been killed and 200 injured in flooding across 18 districts in northern Afghanistan.
Videos captured the devastating sight of mud houses being washed away by raging torrents, with people desperately trying to escape the fast-moving brown current. Rescuers stood helplessly on higher ground, unable to reach those in danger.
Among the survivors were three children, aged 3, 5, and 6, who were part of a family of eight siblings caught in the flooding in Folo, located in the Bulka district of Baghlan.
Their uncle Barakatullah, whose father is Haji Wakil Besmillah, the headmaster of the local school, shared with CNN that he noticed something unsettling happening late last week. Strong winds swept through the district and nearby areas, causing darkness to cover everything.
He mentioned that the visibility became incredibly poor, to the point where they couldn't even see each other.
During Friday prayers, the rain began to fall gently, which was a rare occurrence for the locals in the mountain region where around 10,000 people reside.
As the rain intensified, the situation quickly became serious.
Many people sought safety in the mountains and hills as they fled the flood. Unfortunately, those who couldn't escape their homes became victims of the rising waters.
Aerial photos reveal personal belongings stacked in plastic bags on rooftops. Among them are women, their figures hidden under hoods, following cultural norms even during this crisis.
Barakatullah mentioned that women who were rescued are made to wear dirty clothes, and even babies as young as 2 to 3 months old are dressed in similarly soiled garments.
He also stated that in Folo, over 100 people are thought to have died, with the majority being women and children.
Some burials began over the weekend, but many more are already believed to be buried deep beneath mud.
Afghan relatives offer prayers during a burial ceremony for victims of flooding in Baghlan province, May 11, 2024.
Afghan relatives offer prayers during a burial ceremony for victims of flooding in Baghlan province, May 11, 2024.
Atif Aryan/AFP/Getty Images
From drought and hunger to flooding
The torrent swept away animals and farmland in an area already facing severe food shortages, according to Timothy Anderson, head of the WFP in Afghanistan.
The areas affected by floods were already considered at risk of starvation due to a challenging summer with extreme heat causing drought.
In an interview with CNN, he described the situation as grim before the floods, but now it has escalated to catastrophic levels.
Most years, people anticipate experiencing flash flooding. However, this year, the situation has been much more severe.
The devastation of losing their homes and land is heartbreaking for the survivors, who were already some of the poorest people in the country.
"When people lose some of their livestock, it's like losing their livelihood," he explained.
Due to floodwaters cutting off road access to the most affected areas, the WFP has resorted to using donkeys to deliver supplies.
Within the first day, the WFP has already handed out high energy biscuits and food for children. They are also helping local bakeries provide free bread. In the coming days, the teams will begin giving out food to support families for a month - but what happens after that is still uncertain.
Anderson mentioned that 17 assessment teams, working with other UN partners, are being dispatched to the area. He explained that it will take about four to five days for these teams to thoroughly assess the impact of the floods on the people, as well as their homes and infrastructure.
Workers repair a road destroyed by floods in Nahrin district of Baghlan province on May 12, 2024.
Workers repair a road destroyed by floods in Nahrin district of Baghlan province on May 12, 2024.
Atif Aryan/AFP/Getty Images
‘Bearing the brunt’ of climate crisis
This recent natural disaster in Afghanistan follows a period of drought and is seen as a stark illustration of how the climate crisis disproportionately affects those who have not significantly added to the problem of rising global temperatures.
According to Anderson from the WFP, the affected communities in Afghanistan are not major carbon emitters. They rely on subsistence agriculture and are now facing the harsh consequences of the climate crisis, despite not being significant contributors to the issue.
During the recent dry months, the community worked hard to store rainfall in dams and irrigation canals to support their crops. Unfortunately, these efforts have been destroyed, creating a new challenge.
According to Anderson, the need for assistance is significant, not only in Afghanistan but across the globe. The world is experiencing the effects of more severe natural disasters like droughts, heavy rainfall, and cyclones.
Richard Bennett, the UN’s special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, pointed out that the recent floods serve as a clear indication of Afghanistan's susceptibility to the climate crisis.
Teresa Anderson, the Global Climate Justice Lead at ActionAid International, emphasized in a statement on Sunday that the climate crisis remains a pressing issue that is causing significant impacts worldwide.
“With the latest incident, Afghanistan joins a long list of Global South countries grappling with floods this year,” she said.
Editor's P/S:
The recent flooding in Afghanistan has left a trail of devastation, highlighting the vulnerability of communities facing the brunt of the climate crisis. The images of mud-covered children clinging to a mosque's rooftop and the desperate struggles of people trying to escape the raging waters are a stark reminder of the human toll of climate change. The fact that these communities have contributed little to global carbon emissions yet are bearing the brunt of its consequences is a cruel irony.
The floods have exacerbated an already dire situation in Afghanistan, where poverty and food shortages were already rampant. The destruction of livestock and farmland has further compromised the livelihoods of these already vulnerable people. The international community must step up its efforts to provide emergency assistance and support long-term recovery efforts. It is also crucial to address the root causes of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to renewable energy sources. Only by taking collective action can we prevent future tragedies and ensure a more just and sustainable future for all.
