This Preliminary Emergency Appeal seeks CHF 1,186,873 in cash, kind, or services to support the Afghan Red Crescent Society to assist 14,000 beneficiaries (2,000 households) for six months, and will be completed by 30 November 2012. A Final Report will be made available by 28 February 2013 (three months after the end of the operation).
CHF 213,000 was allocated from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ (IFRC) Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support this operation. Unearmarked funds to replenish DREF are encouraged.
Based on the situation, this Preliminary Emergency Appeal responds to a request from the Afghan Red Crescent Society, and focuses on providing support to take an appropriate and timely response in delivering assistance and relief through provision of non food items, preventative and curative health services, and water, sanitation and hygiene promotion activities.
The situation
Afghanistan continues to experience higher frequency and greater severity of natural disasters which often have a significant toll on human lives, livelihoods, properties and infrastructure. In mid-2011, a widespread drought struck affecting nearly half of the country, devastating the northern and western regions. Such disasters are exacerbated by the prevailing armed conflict that does not appear to be abating, and in fact is becoming more complex with humanitarian access and response efforts reduced. The affected areas have suffered multiple emergencies within a short period which have increased the vulnerability of these communities.
Continuous precipitation and melting of the huge accumulation of snow across numerous mountains in the country has triggered mass movement of water from steep mountains to valleys where large populations are settled. On 18 May 2012, the three districts of Saywad, Suzma Qala and Kohistanat in Sar-e-Pol province were inundated, and the impact was worsened by the geographical nature and location of these settlements. The water flows affected other districts along flood plains in Khwaja Du Koh district in Jawzjan province resulting in mass destruction of settlements and population displacement in the Dasht-i-Leili desert.
Some schools in Sar-e-Pol have been inundated with flood waters and have been temporarily closed. The main government hospital in Sar-e-Pol was also inundated, necessitating premature patient discharge and relocation of other patients to makeshift hospital tents in a safer area. The university of Sar-e-Pol which is situated on higher ground is being used as a temporary evacuation centre, and families living in similarly elevated areas are hosting affected relatives. There remains however, families who are unable to secure alternative shelter solutions and are forced to live in the open.
Essential water supply systems in Sar-e-Pol City are inundated. The local Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) Sar-e-Pol city branch office has had their water supply system affect by the flooding. Local shops and bakeries are closed and access to markets is limited.