Singapore, 20 May 2024 – In response to the recent flash floods in Afghanistan, the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) is committing SGD50,000 to support the ongoing relief for survivors and the affected communities. The contribution will address the immediate needs of those affected, and be used for food, emergency shelter, emergency trauma care, non-food items as well as water, sanitation and hygiene items. The aid will directly enhance the relief efforts led by our Red Cross Red Crescent partners on the ground, including the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). 

SRC has also launched a public fundraising appeal to further support relief and recovery operations in Afghanistan. 

“We are saddened by the loss of lives, injuries, and the impact on homes and livelihoods due to the flash floods. We are working closely with our partners from the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement to stay updated on the situation. As we commence our fundraising efforts, we hope the people of Singapore will stand in solidarity with us, to support the communities-in-need,” said Mr Benjamin William, Secretary General/CEO of the Singapore Red Cross. 

Currently, ARCS is providing immediate assistance to those displaced, including evacuation, establishment of temporary shelters, and the provision of mobile emergency health services delivering crucial first aid. The IFRC has dispatched emergency response teams to support relief operations and is continuously assessing the needs on the ground.

On 10 May 2024, several provinces of northern Afghanistan were hit by heavy rains, resulting in severe flash floods resulting in more than 300 fatalities, with more than 1,600 injured. The number of casualties is expected to rise. The deluge led to the destruction of over 3,000 homes, extensive damage to roads and bridges, and significant losses of livestock and agricultural land. Challenging terrains and damaged infrastructure have hampered relief operations and efforts to reach areas in need of assistance, which were already vulnerable due to landslides, flooded roads and fragile infrastructure. The 10 May 2024 flash floods intensified the flooding across the Northeast region of Afghanistan that has been ongoing since 16 April 2024. The combination and accumulation of these floods have caused severe humanitarian needs in this region. A total of 25 provinces (out of 34 provinces in Afghanistan) have been impacted by floods. Rainfall is forecasted in the affected areas in the coming days.

Image via IFRC Afghanistan/Meer Abdullah Rasikh