Afghan ambassador to Ankara urges humanitarian aid for flood-hit agricultural areas

By Sumeyye Dilara Dincer and Tugba Altun

ANKARA (AA) - Afghanistan's ambassador to Ankara, Amir Mohammad Ramin, stressed the urgent need for humanitarian aid and shelter in his country's flood-affected agricultural areas.

Speaking to Anadolu and providing updates on the floods and Afghanistan's current situation, Ramin expressed gratitude for Türkiye's continuous support and aid during challenging times.

He acknowledged the condolences from the Turkish people and civil society organizations, highlighting that Turkish NGOs were among the first responders to provide aid to the affected regions.

Describing the flood disaster as extremely challenging, Ramin pointed out its severe impact on provinces such as Baghlan, Takhar, Badakhshan, and Ghawr.

He mentioned the difficulties in sending humanitarian aid due to poor road conditions and communication issues, also noting initial reports of casualties and thousands of injuries.

Ramin cautioned that around 10,000 houses were destroyed, with these figures being preliminary and likely to increase in the coming days.

- Significant agricultural cities affected

He emphasized the importance of the affected provinces in Afghanistan's agriculture, saying: "Many animals perished. Agricultural lands and farmers were affected.

"The numbers show that about 40,000 animals were lost in the flood disaster. Additionally, roads and water channels were severely affected," he said.

The floodwaters also submerged agricultural lands that were expected to yield harvest in a month.

Reports indicate that many villages are inaccessible, leading to a shortage of basic necessities in several areas.

The diplomat went on to say that they are receiving new information every hour, but the figures are based on initial assessments and will become clearer in the coming days.

He stressed the urgent need for humanitarian support, noting: "Immediate assistance is crucial for humanitarian aid and shelter."

Ramin recalled Türkiye's past humanitarian aid during crises, citing the response from Turkish civil society organizations after the Oct. 7, 2023 earthquake in Herat province.

Highlighting Türkiye's ongoing active humanitarian support in Afghanistan, Ramin mentioned the close ties and shared experiences of facing challenging situations.

He noted that more than 60 Turkish civil society organizations are operating in various areas and regions in Afghanistan, providing humanitarian aid and participating in educational activities.

* Writing by Alperen Aktas in Istanbul.