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Save the Children: Recent Climate Disaster in Eastern Afghanistan Displaces 1,500 Children

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – International humanitarian agency Save the Children reports that the recent climate disaster in Afghanistan’s eastern provinces has displaced at least 1,500 children.

In a report on Tuesday, July 16, Save the Children highlighted that around 1.36 million people, including 858,000 children, live in districts affected by the recent heavy rains, storms, and floods.

“Afghanistan continues to face a multitude of crises, from returnees, economic instability, food insecurity, earthquakes, climate change, and consecutive cuts in international assistance,” Save the Children said.

“The deadly combination of climate change and poverty impacts Afghanistan’s most vulnerable, children,” the organization added.

According to Taliban authorities, the heavy rains, flash floods, and severe storms that struck the eastern provinces of Nangarhar and Kunar in recent days have resulted in at least 45 deaths and over 350 injuries.

However, earlier today, local sources in Nangarhar province reported a much higher death toll, with 130 fatalities and 410 injuries in that province alone.

The sources also said that the death toll could increase, as many individuals are still missing or in critical condition in regional hospitals.

The hardest-hit area is in and around Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar province, which is still recovering from devastating floods that occurred about two months ago.

The climate disaster has significantly damaged agricultural lands and destroyed dozens of houses, leaving residents stranded without access to basic services.

Afghanistan is one of the most vulnerable countries to natural disasters, such as floods, earthquakes, avalanches, landslides, and drought. It ranks among the poorest nations in the world, burdened by decades of conflict, and is particularly susceptible to extreme weather events related to climate change.

Save the Children says that these severe rains and floods are further evidence of our rapidly changing climate, outpacing families’ ability to adapt. The organization emphasizes that these climate disasters particularly harm those least responsible for the damage—children.

“Afghanistan is already struggling to meet existing needs due to dwindling international funding,” Save the Children said.

“With more support from the international community, we can together address the immediate and long-term impacts of the climate crisis in Afghanistan and help communities to prepare for the impacts of extreme weather events,” it emphasized.