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Project Overview
A natural dam in the Hazara Valley of North central Afghanistan collapsed, damaging and destroying 60 houses, farmland, mills and killing animals and several people.

The affected population was provided with food tokens and received aid from Islamic Relief

Project Background
North central Afghanistan once again faced a major flood at the beginning of August 2003 when a natural dam – which held back a large pool of water – in the mountains in the Hazara Valley collapsed. This occurred around 11:00 PM, when most of the village was already asleep.

The flash flood damaged and destroyed up to 60 houses, 334,877,212 square yards of farmland, 20 mills, and killing 300 animals and several people. For many in this area, the annual wheat crop was on the verge of being harvested when it was washed away by the flood.

12 villages of Darah Azara District of Panjshir Valley were devastated by the flood.

Following an initial assessment meetings were organised with District Governor and other local officials (as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defence) who provided support in this very sensitive area.

The most vulnerable families affected by the flood were selected and provided tokens to receive food items. Food items were purchased from Kabul and transported 155 miles, oftentimes through very difficult mountain roads, to the affected region.

Project Objectives
Islamic Relief hopes to alleviate the short-term suffering and food shortages of the people harmed by the devastating flood.

Project Activities
• Negotiated for and received approval to distribute emergency relief items in one of the most sensitive areas of Afghanistan (Panjshir Valley)
• Distributed 26,400 lbs of wheat flour, 3,700 lbs of rice, 26,000 lbs of sugar, 2,100 lbs of beans, 26,000 lbs of cooking oil and 520 lbs of black tea to 240 at-risk families

Beneficiaries
This project benefited 240 families (1440 individuals) from 12 isolated villages facing food shortages and serious risks of malnutrition due to losses sustained from a devastating flash-floods.