3 million people displaces in Afghanistan due to Climate Disasters, 11 million at risk, warns IOM
Nearly 3 million people have been displaced in Afghanistan due to climate disasters since 2021, with 11 million still at high risk, warns the IOM.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), nearly nine million people in Afghanistan have been affected by climate-related disasters in the past year. Over 500,000 individuals have been displaced due to floods, droughts, and other natural calamities.
The organization stated on Thursday, February 27, that in just the past year, nearly 9 million people in Afghanistan have been affected by climate-related hazards.
The IOM report revealed that nearly three million people have been displaced in Afghanistan between 2021 and 2024, with 988,000 experiencing temporary displacement in 2024 alone due to climate and disaster-related events. During this period, nearly 400,000 cases of property damage and loss of shelter occurred, along with 14,000 injuries or deaths from natural disasters.
IOM also warned that over 11 million people in Afghanistan remain at high risk of severe climate impacts, especially in vulnerable provinces like Ghor, Jawzjan, and Khost, which are most affected by these hazards.
The agency revealed that 92% of villages in Afghanistan have limited access to emergency services, while 46% face challenges in accessing healthcare. “Poor critical infrastructure further weakens disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, increasing vulnerability to climate hazards,” the IOM stated.
Meanwhile, Mihyung Park, the head of the IOM office in Afghanistan, stated, “Despite Afghanistan’s minimal contribution to global carbon emissions, the country is ranked among the top ten most vulnerable countries to climate change.”
Recently, heavy rainfall and floods in Farah province have claimed lives. Three days ago, heavy rains and floods in the mountainous areas of Qala-e-Kah district in Farah province killed 21 people and injured 4 others.
Similarly, in Kandahar province in southern Afghanistan, eight people lost their lives due to heavy rainfall.
This flooding has occurred amid changing weather patterns in some areas of Afghanistan, raising concerns about an increase in natural disasters due to severe rainfall.
Climate change continues to exacerbate the suffering of millions in Afghanistan, with floods, droughts, and other disasters causing widespread displacement and loss of life. The country’s vulnerability to these changes underscores the urgent need for international support and climate resilience efforts.
As the frequency and severity of such disasters increase, it is essential that both national and global efforts are strengthened to address the impacts of climate change, improve disaster preparedness, and provide aid to those most affected.
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