Panjshir government aiding citizens affected by floods

PANJSHIR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - The Panjshir government with assistance from the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team is aiding citizens affected by flooding that started Aug. 4 in the Abdullah Khel Valley.

Heavy rainfall in the Abdullah Khel Valley led to flooding and severe erosion of the river bank. Some roads are impassable and some farm land flooded along the river. 

“Some of these roads get washed away several times a year, and the villagers rebuild them,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Phillip Baker, Panjshir PRT civil engineer and San Antonio native. “My job is to evaluate the historical trends and educate the people on ways to make their infrastructure more sustainable.”

The PRT is working closely with the Dara District Governor, Malam Sorab, and the Afghan National Security Forces to repair the infrastructure that was damaged during the flooding. 

Vehicle traffic cannot travel the roads due to the damage, resulting in approximately 20,000 Afghans having little to no clear routes for travelling.  The provincial reconstruction team is assisting the district government with heavy equipment in order to repair the roads.

“The road contractor agreed to repair the entire road to Abdullah Khel due to the good relationship the contractor has with the PRT and district government in Dara,” said U.S. Army Spc. Allison Cherkosly, a Clifton Park, N.Y., native and Panjshir PRT civil affairs member.

The PRT will provide emergency humanitarian assistance including flour, rice and beans to families affected by the flooding in the valley.

ANSF are assisting Afghan citizens by transporting villagers through the valley.

The PRT and ANSF are working to restore access to the basic necessities the villagers need. The cleanup effort is expected to take 30 days.