Afghanistan: Extreme Weather Regional Overview (as of 04 March 2015) Key Highlights: Forecasts over the next three days predict snowfall and rain. Potential flooding predicted in southern Paktika and for parts of Zabul and Nangarhar. Assessments in Panjsher suspended as road access remains blocked due to snow in remaining four villages. Government reiterates sufficient capacity remains in-country to meet humanitarian needs. International support to future reconstruction and rehabilitation of affected areas remains a priority. Meetings and Coordination: National Security Council technical working group Following criticism from the media of the Government response to date, today’s meeting of the Working Group focussed on how the Government can ensure more effective public messaging in terms of their coordination and response to the various emergencies affecting Afghanistan. It was agreed that line ministries would seek to improve their tracking of the totality of response efforts to date. A consolidated report will be pulled together by the Working Group and shared widely to all ministries and provincial offices, as well as external stakeholders, including the media, in order to better reflect the work of the Government. Consolidated information will be shared with OCHA. The CEO directed Mr. Barmak to compile an overview of all housing damage, livestock losses and other damaged or depleted income sources owing to extreme weather. MRRD and the Ministry of Public Works were tasked to carry out the assessment. Mr. Barmak also clarified that the President’s office had placed no ban on ministries and governors speaking to the press. Rather, all ministries and governors should ensure when making statements about the scale of the emergency or the number of people affected, they should cross-check their information through the Working Group to ensure use of verified figures. With regard to the issue of a circular sent by the Afghanistan embassy in Vienna requesting international humanitarian support, Mr. Barmak, who was not aware of the circular, pledged to follow up with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He reiterated that there was sufficient capacity at this time to meet humanitarian needs, but stated that there will be a need for international support towards reconstruction and rehabilitation activities. MRRD will lead on the development of the reconstruction and rehabilitation plan. The Ministry of Power and Energy are working on reconnecting power back to Kabul. The high volume of snow is hindering overall access to the three electricity pylons that require repair. Situation overview by region: CENTRAL REGION Kabul The assessment in Kabul is now completed. A total of 46 families were verified in Surobi district and 76 families in Deh Sabz district. Two villages (Tizbin and Ozbin) in Surobi have not yet been assessed due to security concerns. The main needs of the affected families are NFIs, emergency shelter and food items. IOM will cover the NFI and emergency shelter needs. A request has been made to WFP to cover the food needs of 122 families in both districts. The joint food and NFI distribution is pending. Kapisa According to the PDMC meeting on 28 February, there are now an estimated 511 families whose houses were either completely destroyed or severely damaged in seven districts. Two deaths were reported and five people injured. IOM is in discussions with potential partners to support a joint assessment. Islamic Relief and DRC have expressed interest in supporting assessments. www.unocha.org The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors. Coordination Saves Lives Overview Extreme Weather Regional Overview 4 March 2015 |2 Panjsher Assessments are tentatively set to resume on 5 March, as further clearance of snow is required to access the 4 remaining affected villages. A PDMC meeting will take place on 5 March to discuss assessments to date and plan a response. As of 3 March, according to ANDMA and IOM, 119 families were affected by heavy snow and avalanches, of which 43 families have been assessed and verified as in need of humanitarian assistance. Winter warm clothes, solar lanterns, blankets and food are a priority. The below table provides an overview of those affected1, # of # of # of houses houses DISTRICTS VILLAGES Incident families Deaths Missing Injured severely completely affected damaged destroyed Tool-Salim Paryan Avalanche 23 4 19 24 2 4 Khail Arghach, Dara Dehdado, Avalanche 15 15 30 0 5 Marjan Bazarak Malaspa Avalanche 4 0 1 3 0 2 Heavy Hesa Awal Ashkesh 1 0 1 0 0 0 snow TOTAL ASSESSED 43 4 36 57 2 11 Parwan As of 2 March, ANDMA has reported 1154 families affected by heavy snow and avalanches in the districts of Salang (165), Jablussaraj (20), Shinwari (650), Kohi Safi (95), Sia Gird (182) and Chaharikar (30). The assessment in Salang and Bagram will be completed on 3 March. In Kohi Safi, ANDMA reported that 71 families have not been assessed: 27 families are located in insecure areas and 44 families still need to be surveyed. According to IOM, the villages have been assessed and no affected families were found. To date, ARCS and ANDMA jointly provided NFIs to 55 houses in Salang and 15 families of those killed in the incidents. A PDMC took place on 4 March. Outcomes of the meeting will be reflected in 5 March report. Wardak Two houses were destroyed due to flooding in Daymirdad district. CENTRAL HIGHLANDS Bamyan IOM, Save the Children and ANDMA plan to conduct a joint assessment on 3 March in Joshanag village in Yakawlang district, which was struck by an avalanche on 23 February. More information will be provided after the assessment. Daykundi According to IOM, on 27 February, heavy snowfall destroyed four houses in Abigak (2) and Elasonak (1) villages in Khidir district and damaged one house in Dasht village in Nili center. The four affected families reportedly lost their food and NFIs, and have currently taken shelter with neighboring families. An assessment was conducted by the District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) in Khidir. ANDMA is awaiting the final report. 1 Figures provided by IOM United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Coordination Saves Lives | www.unocha.org Overview Extreme Weather Regional Overview 4 March 2015 |3 One family was affected by heavy snowfall in Dasht village of Nili. The family lost their NFIs and food. ANDMA, ICRC and other partners are planning a joint assessment this week. EASTERN REGION Kunar: According to ANDMA Kunar, approximately 72 families were affected by heavy rain and floods in 12 districts (4 in Nurgal, 5 in Chawki, 2 in Khas Kunar, 6 in Narang, 2 in Sarkani, 2 in Marawara, 4 in Shegal-wa-Sheristrict, 4 in Barkunar/Asmar, 15 in Nari, 10 in Asadabad, 2 in Watapoor, 12 in Dara-e-Pech, and 10 in Chapadara). IMC distributed 13 NFIs kits in Shigal-wa-Sheltan and Watapur districts; and 7 NFI kits in Dara-e Pech. ANDMA Kunar provided seven tents in Nanang and Nurgal districts. Laghman: According ANDMA, 490 families were affected by recent rainfall and flooding in various districts: Approximately 100 families were affected in Mehterlam; 100 families were affected in Alishang; 40 families in Dawlatshah, 50 families in Alingar and 150 families in Qarghyi. Joint assessments for flood/heavy rain affected areas are currently underway in all districts According to ANDMA, ARCS distributed NFIs, including 4 tents, and food (25 kg wheat flour and 5 kg cooking oil) to 50 affected families in Alishang district; and NFIs kits and food to 30 families in Dawlatsh district. Nangarhar: Based on current assessment figures, 716 families in 16 districts have been assessed and are eligible for assistance. Within these districts, seven people died (1 in Kama, 1 in Jalalabad city, 4 in Behsood, and 1 in Dari Noor) and four (2 in Surkhrod, 2 in Jalalabad city) were injured. Three PDMC teams were assigned for joint rapid assessments. ARCS was assigned to conduct a rapid assessment in Shirzad, Hesarak, Surkhord, Lalpur, and Rodat districts. IOM, WFP/PAT monitor, NRC, IRC, DRC and ANDMA were assigned to conduct assessments in Kama, Jalalabad city, Behsood, Dara-e-Nor, Kuz Kunar, and Goshta districts. DRRD, WFP/PAT monitor, and ANDMA will assess Chaparhar, Pacheiragam, Batikot, Achin, Hesarak, Durbaba, and Khogyani districts. WFP distributed food to 142 families in Behsud and Kuz Kunar districts. On 3 March, NRC started distributing NFIs and cash to 136 families in Behsud district and IRC distributed NFIs, including 15 tents, to 78 families. Nuristan: ANDMA, IOM and IMC estimated 66 families in seven districts (Wama, Parun, Nurgram, Dwab, Mandol, and Bargi Metal) were affected by rainfall, floods and avalanches. In Mandol district, 11 people died. Joint assessments are currently underway in all affected districts. IMC completed its assessment in Nurgeram district of Nuristan. 41 families were assessed as requiring humanitarian assistance. IMC will lead in the distribution. The IMC assessment team also plans to carry out an assessment to Mandol district. The district has very difficult geographical terrain and no access road. Therefore, the only option is to access on foot or using mules. NORTHERN REGION Baghlan: Teams consisting of ANDMA, IOM, FOCUS and ARCS have completed an assessment in Puli Khumri, Khinjan and Andarab districts. As reported by a joint IOM, FOCUS, ANDMA, ARCS assessment team, three people were injured, 53 houses were destroyed and 58 damaged in Puli Khumri due to heavy snowfall. Three people were injured, three houses destroyed and another three damaged in Khinjan district. A further seven houses were also destroyed in Andarab (Banu) district. Balkh: In the month of February, 19 families were affected by heavy rainfall and all families received NRC NFI kits and unconditional cash assistance.