UN says over 40 killed in Nuristan floods

More than 40 people were killed and dozens injured after heavy rainfall triggered flash floods in eastern Afghanistan, the UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said Tuesday, as humanitarian agencies rushed emergency assistance to affected communities.
Speaking at a daily briefing, Dujarric said preliminary reports indicated that many people also remained missing following the flooding, which struck parts of eastern Afghanistan on Monday.

“The flooding also caused extensive damage to homes, public buildings and businesses,” Dujarric said.

Search-and-rescue operations are continuing in the hardest-hit areas while UN agencies and humanitarian partners assess the damage and prepare a broader response, he said.

According to the UN, immediate humanitarian needs include emergency shelter, food assistance, healthcare, essential household supplies and psychosocial support for affected families.

Mobile health teams have already been deployed, health facilities have been placed on alert, and additional medical, nutrition and food supplies are being mobilized, Dujarric said.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is coordinating the response with aid organizations and local authorities, although damaged roads and difficult terrain are complicating relief efforts.