At least four children are amongst at least 29 people killed in flash floods that have swept through two provinces in Afghanistan in recent days, as the country continues to feel the impact of extreme weather events that have upended lives and livelihoods, Save the Children said.
KABUL, 27 February 2025 – At least four children are amongst at least 29 people killed in flash floods that have swept through two provinces in Afghanistan in recent days, as the country continues to feel the impact of extreme weather events that have upended lives and livelihoods, Save the Children said.
In Kandahar province, one child has reportedly drowned, while three others were killed when a roof collapsed on them. Several other children have reportedly sustained injuries, according to staff reports from the region.
Floods this week in the country’s southern Kandahar and western Farah provinces have caused significant damage to infrastructure, including roads and homes in the province, and have disrupted essential services that children and families rely on. Floods also swept through parts of the country’s northeastern Kunar province.
Heavy rainfall and flooding over the past 48 hours have resulted in six injuries and nine deaths in Kandahar province, and 33 houses have been partially or completely destroyed, along with one road and a dam in Kandahar city and districts.
Beyond the immediate loss of life, the broader impact of these extreme weather events remains severe, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities and posing long-term challenges for affected communities.
Rising global temperatures, caused by burning fossil fuels, is making rainfall more frequent and severe across most parts of the world, including in Afghanistan.[1]
Arshad Malik, Save the Children’s Country Director in Afghanistan:
“Entire families were swept away by these floods and at least four children’s lives have been cut short. For the survivors, there will be long term consequences for their well-being.
Floods like these are yet another sign that our climate is changing too fast for families in Afghanistan to adapt and this is hurting those who are least responsible for the damage—children.”
Save the Children has conducted a rapid needs assessment, identifying the most vulnerable households in need of urgent assistance. As part of the emergency response efforts, Save the Children will provide immediate water, sanitation and hygiene support to affected communities, ensuring access to sanitation and essential hygiene supplies to mitigate the risk of waterborne diseases and further hardships.
Save the Children has been supporting communities and protecting children's rights across Afghanistan since 1976, including during periods of conflict and natural disasters. We have programs in nine provinces and work with partners in an additional seven provinces. Since August 2021, we've been scaling up our response to support the increasing number of children in need. We deliver health, nutrition, education, child protection, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, and livelihood support.
NOTES TO EDITORS
*Death toll likely to change as more news emerges in the coming days.
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