Reactions to the deadly floods on Friday in various regions of Afghanistan
On Friday, May 9, the northern, northeastern, and western provinces of the aAfganistan witnessed deadly floods that claimed the lives of over 300 people and destroyed more than a thousand residential homes. The damages and casualties from these floods have prompted national and international responses.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson, stated that their government has mobilized all resources to assist flood victims and rescue the wounded, urging people to hasten to aid the affected.
Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, the ousted and fugitive president, wrote on his Facebook page: “The tragedy inflicted on our dear compatriots in some northern, central, and western regions of the country due to recent devastating floods is truly heart-wrenching, with both loss of life and property damage being severe and overwhelming. In these sorrowful moments, I share your grief and pain individually and stand by your side.”
He attributed the occurrence of such floods to climate change and emphasized the necessity of being prepared for its long-term consequences alongside addressing the current crisis.
Mirwais Azizi, a prominent Afghan merchant residing in Dubai, announced that he would donate 50 million Afghanis to flood victims in Baghlan. He posted on his X page yesterday that he is sending a team led by his brother to identify the affected and assess their needs in Baghlan.
Rashid Khan, cricket star, announced on his Facebook page a donation of one and a half million Afghanis to flood victims in Baghlan. He stated that this aid would be provided in the form of ready-to-eat meals within 15 days to the affected.
Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan, on his Twitter page, considered the recent floods as indicative of Afghanistan’s vulnerability to climate crisis and emphasized the need for both immediate and long-term planning by the Taliban and other internal actors.
Thomas Nicholson, the EU Special Representative for Afghanistan, stated that the EU closely monitors the situation resulting from the recent floods and is ready to provide emergency assistance.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has announced that the recent floods have created a major humanitarian emergency in Afghanistan. The organization attributed these floods to the consequences of climate change and added that it is preparing for its emergency response in affected areas.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expressed its reaction to the recent floods’ consequences in a statement, stating: “The Organization of Islamic Cooperation urges all its member countries and other countries of the world as well as assisting organizations to quickly send relief aid to the Afghan people affected by the current floods.”
The devastating and deadly consequences of these floods on social media have also seen a wave of sympathy and condolences for the victims, with many users expressing their desire to help flood victims.
