FIROZKOH CITY (SW) – The flood survivors in Ghor are currently facing a critical shortage of food and clean drinking water, with their children at risk of starvation if immediate assistance is not provided.
They appeal for urgent aid from the de-facto government and the relief organizations.
Khadija, a 38-year-old survivor from the Charsada district of Ghor, sought refuge in Firozkoh, the center of the province, only to find herself still threatened by the relentless floods. She tearfully recounts how the flood swept away all her property while she and her family were having a meal.
“I had sent my children out; I could not save anything except for a battery I grabbed. The rest of my house is submerged, and everything I owned has been swept away by the flood,” she said.
On Friday, the recent floods swept through the central city and surrounding districts in Ghor province, leaving thousands of homes destroyed and displacing countless individuals.
Local officials report that in these floods, more than 50 lives, mostly children, have been lost, with dozens more still missing.
Abdulhai Zaeem, Head of Information and Culture Directorate in Ghor, says, “The number of confirmed deaths stands at 50, with many more still unaccounted for and missing. Moreover, the people of Firozkoh have lost their homes and shops, their livelihoods. People suffered significant damage across the districts of Ghor province.”
He added that thousands of residential homes have been completely or partially destroyed, along with dozens of bridges and thousands jeribs of agricultural land.
The floods have left a trail of devastation, and the affected communities are in urgent need of assistance to cope with the aftermath.
Saleh Shirzai and Khairullah, residents of the Guldara village near Firozkoh city, recount how the floods left them no time to salvage their belongings, forcing them to prioritize their own and their children’s safety.
“We had a storage room in our house with many items like food supplies, carpets, and other things, and we also had a guest room, all of which have been completely swept away by the flood. It is not just us; everyone in this area has been affected.”
“We ask the Islamic Emirate and international aid organizations to help us. We do not have drinking water or food, and currently, we are living by the walls with no shelter.”
However, Shamsuddin Tariqat, Deputy Governor of Ghor, assures that relief efforts are underway in collaboration with aid agencies to address the needs of flood survivors.
“Initial aid has been provided, and joint efforts are being made with partner organizations to procure urgent supplies, including clean drinking water, food, and shelter,” he reassures.
On Friday, floods ravaged not only Firozkoh but also several districts of Ghor province, including Shahrak, Tulak, Dolina, Dawlatyar, Marghab, and Charsada, causing extensive financial losses.
The floods have also disrupted transportation routes, including the Ghor-Herat highway, and put historical landmarks like the Minaret of Jam at risk of collapse.
