Faryab, Afghanistan - May 23, 2024

Storyline:
Heavy rains and flash floods in Afghanistan have killed hundreds of people, damaged thousands of homes and destroyed vast farmlands, trapping local residents in predicament and despair.

Afghanistan's northern Faryab province is one of the worst-affected provinces.

In Maimana, the provincial capital of Faryab province, the floods wiped out many of the bridges and roads leading to the villages in the valleys of northern Afghanistan.

More than 1,500 households were destroyed. Rescue and relief teams have been unable to reach some areas. Livestock and crops were lost.

Many local people who survived the heavy floods are still living in fear of being homeless and asset deprivation. They urged the government and international relief organizations to help.

People in some districts including Pashtun Kot and Bilcheragh have also lost livestock and crops.

Afghanistan is among the most vulnerable countries to climate change. It has been experiencing a rise in extreme weather conditions, including floods and drought, over recent years, according to the United Nations.

Shotlist:
Faryab Province, Afghanistan - May 23, 2024:
1. Various of trees, mountain, flood-affected area;
2. Man carrying child, getting across flooded area;
3. Vehicle driving in flooded area;
4. Various of tents, local residents;
5. SOUNDBITE (Dari) Abdullah Moalem, local resident:
"70 to 100 people were killed. People are suffering. The government and other organizations must pay attention to the affected people."
6. Various of flood-affected area;
7. SOUNDBITE (Uzbek) Noor Mohamad, local resident:
"I saw with my own eyes 70 to 80 people buried together at a burial ceremony. They were all buried next to each other in one place. I saw the dead bodies being buried, one after another."
8. Various of shelter;
9. SOUNDBITE (Dari) Najibullah, farmer (full name not given):
"A total of six hectares of my land was affected by the flood. The crops were asparagus, onion, and wheat."
10. Mountains;
11. SOUNDBITE (Dari) Mohamad Rasool, farmer:
"We grow potatoes, onions, tomatoes and other crops in our fields. Most of the farms are destroyed. The wheat crops were also destroyed. Nothing is left."
12. Various of flood-affected area.

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