Singapore Red Cross donates $50k for Afghanistan flood relief and launches appeal for funds

Source: The Straits Times
Author: Fatimah Mujibah

SINGAPORE - Singapore Red Cross (SRC) has donated $50,000 for victims of the recent flash floods in Afghanistan, while launching a fund-raising appeal to further support relief and recovery operations there.

The contribution will help those affected, and be used for food, emergency shelter, emergency trauma care, water, sanitation and hygiene items, said SRC on May 20.

The aid will also directly enhance the relief efforts led by its Red Cross Red Crescent partners on the ground, said SRC, including the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Said Mr Benjamin William, secretary general and chief executive officer of SRC: "We are saddened by the loss of lives, injuries, and the impact on homes and livelihoods due to the flash floods.

"We are working closely with our partners from the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement to stay updated on the situation. As we commence our fundraising efforts, we hope the people of Singapore will stand in solidarity with us, to support the communities-in-need."

The fundraising will be held from May 20 to Aug 31.

SRC noted that ARCS is providing assistance to those who have been displaced or have evacuated, and is providing temporary shelters and mobile emergency health services.

Meanwhile, the IFRC has dispatched emergency response teams to support relief operations and assess the needs on the ground, added SRC.

Several provinces of northern Afghanistan were hit by heavy rains on May 10, resulting in severe flash floods resulting in more than 300 deaths, and more than 1,600 injured.

The number of casualties is expected to rise, said SRC. Over 3,000 homes have been destroyed and caused extensive damage to roads and bridges, including loss of livestock and agricultural land.

The recent situation has also worsened the flooding across the north-east region of Afghanistan that has been ongoing since April 16.

To date, a total of 25 out of 34 provinces in the country have been impacted by floods, SRC added, while rainfall is still forecast in the affected areas in the coming days.