TEHRAN – The Iranian Red Crescent Society has distributed packages of aid to people affected by recent floods in Afghanistan’s Baghlan province.

On May 10, devastating floods and torrents of water swept through multiple cities and villages in northern Afghanistan.

The flood victims welcomed Iran’s humanitarian assistance, asking the caretaker government and other donor institutions to help them with the construction of shelters and access to drinking water.

On May 23, the IRCS  sent a second consignment of relief items to flood victims in Afghanistan.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that at least 60,000 people have been affected by recent floods in the provinces of Baghlan, Badakhshan, and Takhar.

Citing the Taliban-run refugee ministry, OCHA revealed that nearly 350 people have died in these floods while over 1,500 others have been injured.

The first plane carrying humanitarian cargo to those affected by the recent flood in Afghanistan landed in Mazar-e-Sharif on May 23, IRCS website quoted Razieh Alishvandi, the IRCS director for international affairs, as saying.

The donated goods included tents, blankets, and foodstuff.

Afghanistan commends Iran’s aid 

In a tweet on May 13, Rahmatullah Faizan, the deputy representative of the Taliban Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Herat, lauded Iran's swift response following natural disasters in Afghanistan. 

Faizan highlighted Iran's immediate assistance and deployment of rescue teams to Herat following the earthquake. 

He also noted Tehran's support in the aftermath of flooding in northern Afghanistan. 

Expressing optimism, Faizan voiced hope for the continued strengthening of friendly relations between Tehran and Kabul.

On May 12, Iran extended its heartfelt condolences to Afghanistan following the devastating flash floods that have swept through the country's northern areas.

In a statement issued by Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani, Iran expressed profound sadness over the natural disaster, which has claimed the lives of at least 300 Afghans and displaced thousands more in recent days. 

According to Afghanistan’s defense ministry, emergency personnel had been deployed to the affected areas and were rushed to rescue injured and stranded people.

Iran's Special Envoy for Afghanistan also announced that Iran is prepared to send relief forces, medical teams, and essential aid supplies requested by Afghan authorities.

Hassan Kazemi-Qomi shared on his personal social media account: “The recent floods in northern Afghanistan, which resulted in the loss of many lives, have deeply saddened me. While expressing solidarity with the Afghan people, Iran stands ready to send relief forces, medical teams, and necessary aid supplies, which are sincere gifts from the Iranian people to the people of Afghanistan. These will be delivered through organizations like the Red Crescent and the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee to the affected regions as swiftly as possible.”

He added that It's important that transparent procedures are in place for accepting humanitarian assistance to ensure fairness. The challenging decision-making process, highlighted by the life-saving efforts during the Herat earthquake, underscores the need for coordinated and transparent approaches in crisis response.”

The World Food Program has reported that over 1,000 houses have been destroyed, leaving countless families homeless and vulnerable. The toll on human life and infrastructure continues to rise as emergency responders struggle to reach remote and inaccessible areas.

More than half of the 600,000 people affected by the floods are children, Save the Children reported in a statement, adding that it is sending a ‘clinic on wheels’ with mobile health and child protection teams to support children and their families.”

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has also expressed sorrow over the catastrophic floods, acknowledging the significant loss of life and widespread devastation. The Taliban has mobilized resources to assist in rescue and relief efforts, but the scale of the disaster presents significant challenges.

The international community has rallied to support Afghanistan in its time of need, with humanitarian organizations and neighboring countries offering assistance. However, the road to recovery will be long and arduous for a nation already grappling with the aftermath of decades of conflict and instability.

MT/MG