§ John BarrettTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what steps are being taken to ensure recent flooding in the Herat region of Afghanistan does not hamper future crop production; [150977]
(2) what assessment he has made of the impact which recent flooding has had on (a) basic transport and (b) educational infrastructure in the Herat region of Afghanistan; [150978]
(3) if he will make a statement on the humanitarian situation in the Herat region of Afghanistan, following recent flooding. [150975]
Mr. Gareth ThomasA three-day persistent rain, which started on 16 January 2004, resulted in heavy flooding in Guzara district of Herat Province.
Although there were no human casualties, 500 families were affected, 250 houses were partially destroyed and over 850 hectares of cultivated land was left under water. However, There are as yet no confirmed reports of educational or basic transport infrastructure destruction.
A combined disaster management team including representatives from Government Ministries, UN agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), 420W has dispatched an assessment mission to the affected villages. Humanitarian assistance has now been supplied to the affected families by international aid agencies, which includes tents, blankets, jerry cans, kitchen utensils, and one-month food ration. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has pledged to provide seeds and will work on re-enforcement of the Guzara district canal, while the US led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) has earmarked US․50,000 for rehabilitation efforts.
§ John BarrettTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what impact the closure of the Salang tunnel has had on humanitarian efforts in the northern regions of Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. [150979]
Mr. Gareth ThomasHeavy snowfalls on 15 and 16 January with high winds and avalanches forced a temporary closure of the Salang tunnel, the key route from Kabul to the country's northern provinces. However, this closure was fortunately short, and the Salang road and tunnel reopened to traffic on 18 January. Although all UN road missions were temporarily suspended during the closure period, there are no reports of any significant impact on humanitarian operations, as a result of this closure.