Charity Foundation Leads Cleanup Efforts in Flood-Stricken Firozkoh, Afghanistan

A charity foundation has initiated cleanup operations in Firozkoh, the capital of Ghor Province, Afghanistan, following devastating floods that have left the city buried under mud and debris. The recent floods have caused significant loss of life and property, turning homes and farmlands into a quagmire.

A delegation from Kabul, led by Mohammad Hasib Nasimi, head of preservation and restoration of historical monuments at the Ministry of Information and Culture (MoIC), has arrived in Firozkoh to assess the damage. The primary focus is on the historic Jam Minaret, which has suffered damage from the floods. The provincial Information and Culture Department reported on the damage on May 23.

Why this matters: The devastating floods in Afghanistan have significant implications for the country's infrastructure, economy, and human lives. If left unaddressed, the crisis could lead to further displacement, food insecurity, and increased poverty rates.

The delegation aims to inspect, analyze, and develop plans to fortify the ancient minaret. Maulvi Mohammad Hamas, Information and Culture Director, stated, "The delegation is in Ferozkoh city to inspect, analyze and come up with future plans to fortify the historical and ancient minaret and also remove the flood sediments."

The floods, caused by unusually heavy seasonal rains, have had a catastrophic impact on northern Afghanistan. At least 315 people have died, over 1,600 have been injured, and thousands have been displaced. The provinces of Baghlan, Badakhshan, Ghor, and Herat have been the worst hit.

The Taliban government has declared a state of emergency in the affected areas and is coordinating with UN agencies to provide emergency assistance. The charity foundation's efforts in Firozkoh are part of a broader humanitarian response to the crisis.

In Baghlan province, which has seen extensive damage, Save the Children is operating a mobile clinic as part of its emergency response program. The organization reports that nearly three out of ten Afghan children will face crisis or emergency levels of hunger in 2024 as a result of the floods, drought, and the return of Afghans from neighboring Pakistan and Iran.

Arshad Malik, country director for Save the Children in Afghanistan, emphasized the need for long-term solutions, stating, "We need long-term community-based solutions to help families rebuild their lives." The European Union has also allocated an additional 10 million euros to the UN food agency for school feeding activities in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan's susceptibility to climate change, with its arid and semi-arid regions, has exacerbated the severity of natural disasters. The country has experienced a noticeable increase in average temperatures and a decrease in annual rainfall over the past few decades. Agriculture, which employs about 60% of the Afghan workforce, is heavily dependent on predictable weather patterns, making these changes particularly devastating.

The charity foundation's cleanup efforts in Firozkoh represent a critical step in addressing the immediate aftermath of the floods. However, the broader humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan requires sustained international support and long-term strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change and economic instability.

Key Takeaways

• Floods in Afghanistan's Ghor Province have left Firozkoh city buried under mud and debris.
• At least 315 people have died, 1,600 injured, and thousands displaced due to the floods.
• The historic Jam Minaret has suffered damage and a delegation is working to fortify it.
• The floods have exacerbated Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis, with 3 in 10 children facing hunger.
• Long-term solutions and international support are needed to address climate change and economic instability.