In a tragic incident highlighting the fragility of the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, at least nine children were killed in the south and east of the country by severe storms and a landslide triggered by torrential rains. This disaster comes at a time when the population faces additional risks due to heavy snowfall, further complicating rescue efforts and exacerbating the suffering of affected communities.
According to local officials, the emergency management department in southern Kandahar province reported that strong winds and heavy rains killed six children on Wednesday and caused significant property damage in several districts, with the storms damaging numerous homes. In a separate and tragic incident in eastern Nuristan province, a landslide struck a house in Quraish village, killing three members of the same family—two ten-year-old girls and a boy—and injuring two others.
General context: Afghanistan facing natural disasters
Afghanistan is one of the world's most disaster-prone countries, due to its rugged, mountainous terrain and dilapidated infrastructure, ravaged by decades of conflict. The country frequently experiences flash floods, landslides, severe droughts, and intense snowstorms. These phenomena are particularly severe during the winter and spring seasons, when melting snow and seasonal rains can lead to deadly disasters, especially in rural and remote areas where communities live in dwellings ill-equipped to withstand harsh weather conditions.
The importance of the event and its expected impact
At the local level, this incident represents a humanitarian tragedy, adding to the series of crises afflicting the Afghan people. It not only results in loss of life but also in the destruction of property and crops, pushing affected families to the brink of extreme poverty. These disasters also place immense pressure on limited local resources and emergency response systems already struggling to meet the basic needs of the population.
Regionally and internationally, this incident underscores the urgent need for increased humanitarian support for Afghanistan. It serves as a reminder to the international community that the Afghan crisis is far from over and that the repercussions of climate change are exacerbating the situation. Such events call upon international humanitarian organizations to intensify their efforts to provide immediate assistance, with a focus on building the resilience of local communities to future disasters through climate adaptation projects and infrastructure development.
Heavy snowfall over the past few hours, reaching up to 80 centimeters in some areas, has forced the closure of markets and blocked main roads, isolating many villages and hindering the delivery of aid. Authorities continue to warn of further dangers as the unstable weather persists, threatening the lives of more residents.
