Afghanistan: Extreme Weather Regional Overview (as of 03 March 2015) Key Highlights: 182 districts in 20 provinces have been affected by floods, heavy snow and avalanches, according to government figures. A total of 308 people have died, 187 persons injured and 4,776 houses have been completely destroyed1. Media reports of a further avalanche incident in Wighnan village of Warsaj district, Takhar province, affecting between 300 to 400 families were followed up through a joint government and humanitarian assessment mission. The team found no casualties or houses destroyed in the village. Wet weather patterns are likely to continue with widespread precipitation expected across northern and central Afghanistan (FEWSNET). Meetings and Coordination: National Security Council technical working group On 3 March, Mr Barmak is scheduled to update the cabinet on the situation in Takhar. Provincial authorities reported 300-400 families at risk in the Houze Ghaiban area of Warsaj district in Takhar province. These reports were disputed by the joint PDMC assessment (please see Takhar update). MRRD has dispatched snow ploughs to help with snow clearing operations. Ministry of Defence/ANA helicopters are on standby to be deployed as soon as weather conditions permit. There are a number of donors wishing to support affected families. The Emergency Operation Coordinator, Wais Barmak will be the focal point for all emergency assistance. The provincial ANDMAs have been instructed to use emergency funds made available to them to assist affected families immediately. In order to ensure donations are targeted to the most vulnerable, Mr Barmak will coordinate actual needs with relevant partners once assessments are completed and actual needs and gaps have been identified. IDLG has informed relevant provincial governors that they should support partners involved in rescue operations. The working group members should inform IDLG of any issues in this regard. ANDMA will procure sufficient quantities of emergency operation equipment (satellite phones, VHF, sleeping bag, torch) for technical teams to facilitate assessment missions in the future. 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 aim is to carry out a joint food and NFI distribution on 4 March. Kapisa According to PDMC meeting on 28 February, there are now an estimated 511 families whose houses were completely destroyed and 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. 1 As of 2 March 2015 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 2 March 2015 |2 Panjsher As of 3 March, according to ANDMA and IOM, a total of 119 families were affected by heavy snow and avalanches. As mentioned in the 2 March update, joint assessments carried out by IOM, OCHA, WFP/AREA, DRC, DoRR and ARCS were carried out from 1-2 March in Tool-Salim Khail in Paryan district; Dara district (Arghach, Dehdado, Marjan villages); Bazarak district (Malaspa village); and, Hesa Awal district (Ashkes village). The below table provides an overview of those affected2, 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. Four more villages still need to be assessed. Further assessments are planned from 5 March onwards. # 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 After completion of the needs assessment in Abullah Khail village of Dara district, the provincial governor and other provincial committee members distributed cash (Afs100,000 per dead person and Afs 50,000 per injured) on 2 March. The same assistance was distributed to the relatives or representatives of the killed and injured people on 3 March in Hesa Awal district. UNICEF provided 500 family kits and 500 health kits to the DoRRD department for distribution. Abdullah Khail and Tol valley are accessible. Two additional, excavators have been sent to Abdullah Khail to clear remaining areas. The road to Paryan district is reopened and a PDMC led assessment team (IOM, OCHA, WFP/AREA, DRC, ARCS and ANDMA) conducted needs assessment in Tol village of Paryan, Bazarak, Dara district of Panshir province. Some parts of these districts are still inaccessible. The assessment will restart following the necessary road clearance in these locations. Response activities commenced in Abdullah Khail area. The Provincial Governor and provincial committee members commenced the distribution of cash to families who lost family members. The Department of Public Works in Panjsher has allocated 30,000 litres of fuel for heavy machinery used in snow clearing operations on secondary and tertiary roads. The Ministry of Telecommunication and Technology transferred 5 mobile antenna (VCN) to extend mobile coverage in remote areas of Panjsher province. 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 is scheduled on 4 March to discuss the overall figures and determine the response. 2 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 2 March 2015 |3 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 District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) in Khidir. ANDMA is awaiting the final report. One family was affected by heavy snowfall in Dasht village of Nili. The family lost their NFIs and food. ANDMA, ICRC and other partners has plan for joint assessment in 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, while ANDMA-Kunar provided seven tents in Nanang and Nurgal districts. Laghman: During the 3 March NSC working group it was reported that the MoD has dispatched 11 MT of food for affected families to 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. 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. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Coordination Saves Lives | www.unocha.org Overview Extreme Weather Regional Overview 2 March 2015 |4 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.