KABUL | Floods that have hit Afghanistan for a month have killed 182 people and injured 250, including women and children, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Thursday.
More than 3,000 houses were destroyed by the torrential rains, as well as agricultural land, particularly in the east of the country. A thousand head of cattle also perished, he said, adding that the government will do its best to compensate for the losses, without further details.
Climate change, poor management of infrastructure by the “previous powers”, as well as the drought which made the soils impermeable, contributed to aggravate the situation, estimated the spokesman of the Taliban.
Dozens of Afghans die each year from torrential rains, especially in poor rural areas where poorly constructed houses can easily collapse.
In neighboring Pakistan, more than 800 people have died since June due to heavy monsoon rains.
Since the Taliban came to power in Kabul in August 2021, Afghanistan has been plunged into a serious financial and humanitarian crisis, caused by the freezing of billions of assets held abroad and the abrupt cessation of aid. international community which has carried the country at arm’s length for 20 years, and which is now coming back in dribs and drabs.
Islamist fundamentalists also have little experience in dealing with disasters.
“If the floods were to worsen, the Islamic Emirate would not have sufficient resources to provide the necessary aid” to the victims, warned Thursday Zabihullah Mujahid.
The spokesperson called on the international community, and in particular Muslim countries, as well as humanitarian organizations to help the government in this natural disaster.