News Listing

March 21, 2024

Affected country: Afghanistan
Glide: CW-2024-000025-AFG
On 3 March 2024, the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) under the auspices of the Vice President convened an Emergency Task Force Meeting in response to the heavy snowfall and extreme cold temperatures that affected several high-altitude provinces of Afghanistan during the first week of March. The event resulted in casualties, heavy losses of livestock, blocked roads, and disruption to economic activities among other challenges. According to public authorities, news agencies, and the ARCS, at least 35 human lives have been lost, dozens of people injured, and thousands of livestock perished, depriving affected households of their livelihoods due to the heavy snowfall and cold temperatures. The provinces most affected include Badakhshan, Badghis, Balkh, Farah, Faryab, Ghor, Herat, Jawzjan, Kunduz, Nuristan, Sar-e-Pul, Uruzgan, and Zabul. The March 2024 event is almost reminiscent of the cold wave of January 2023 in terms of scale, but the impacts are considered more severe. According to ECHO, temperatures plummeted to as low as -33 degrees in provinces like Ghor, and over 70,000 cattle perished across several provinces and also causing 70 deaths.Prior to the cold wave in early March, on 19 February 2024, a landslide triggered by heavy snowfall claimed 25 lives, destroyed at least 20 homes, and displaced 350 households in the province of Nuristan. (IFRC, 21 Mar 2024)


March 12, 2024

Affected country: Mozambique
Glide: TC-2024-000032-MOZ
The National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD) report that 48,116 people (8,533 households) were affected in the provinces of Gaza, Inhambane, Maputo and Sofala. Two deaths and 25 people injured have been reported. According to the information available, the most affected area is Maputo city with 25,455 people affected (2 percent of total population). Damage to infrastructure includes 8,000 houses partially/completely damaged, 146 schools (22,442 students) affected along with 51 health centres, 56 electric poles, and 19 roads affected. The highest humanitarian needs are in education, shelter/NFIs, water purification and hygiene kits. Infrastructure reconstruction/rehabilitation needs have also been identified. (OCHA, 15 Mar 2024)


March 03, 2024

Affected country: Argentina
Glide: FL-2024-000027-ARG
In the early hours of 3 March the Capital Department of the Province of Corrientes experienced a deluge of intense and prolonged rainfall, totaling over 300 mm within a span of less than 12 hours. This event set a historical record for the city and resulted in significant impacts in the City of Corrientes, including flooded streets and numerous homes submerged. The flooding affected a vast majority of the community, both in urban and suburban areas. Many households experienced water ingress ranging from 20 cm to 2 meters, even in the urban core. Although approximately 90% of the affected areas have been drained, initial recovery efforts are focused on cleaning, disinfection, and recovering lost belongings, a process expected to take several days in some instances. Particularly vulnerable areas such as the neighborhoods of Ciudades Correntinas, Quintana, Río Paraná, Anahí, La Olla, Ponce, Jardín, San Ignacio, Santa Rita Sur, Esperanza, and Molina Punta continue to face challenges due to geographical location, pre-existing drainage issues, and high levels of vulnerability. In the initial hours of the event, the local emergency response system encountered difficulties reaching affected areas due to the severity of the storm. However, rescue efforts intensified throughout the day, mobilizing more than 2,500 individuals, including municipal personnel, Civil Defense teams, federal forces, civil society organizations, and with support from the Argentine Red Cross. It is estimated that approximately 5,000 people have evacuated voluntarily, with 996 individuals relocated to temporary shelters. Although the number of evacuees has gradually decreased, some individuals still remain in official temporary shelters as of March 7. Meanwhile, many families have begun returning to their homes or seeking accommodation with relatives and neighbors. (IFRC, 18 Mar 2024)


February 29, 2024

Affected country: Algeria
Glide: FL-2024-000024-DZA
On February 29th, 2024, the Wilaya of Jijel experienced significant flooding incidents due to the heavy rainfall, in two specific areas: the AADL residencies and Al Ansar Daira. These incidents exacerbated existing challenges caused by the said heavy rainfall, as well as the fact that the areas are situated next to a valley that increased the damage with the high level of waters, and weak infrastructure in the most affected area. Roads in the affected areas were blocked by floodwaters, as well as commercial buildings and offices impeding transportation and causing disruptions to daily life. Additionally, the infrastructure sustained notable damage as a result of the flooding. Efforts to address the situation and provide assistance to affected residents were underway by the ARC, with authorities working to clear the blocked roads and damaged infrastructure. (IFRC, 15 Mar 2024)


February 28, 2024

Affected country: Peru
Glide: EP-2024-000023-PER
The accumulation of water from the rains and the high temperatures creates a breeding ground for diseases like dengue fever. In fact, the rise of dengue among the population led the Ministry of Health to declare a Health Emergency on 28 February in 20 regions (Supreme Decree Nº004-2024-SA). As of February 24th, the number of cases reached 34,042, more than two times the number of cases in 2023 (+131.7%). The regions with the most cases are La Libertad (6,148), Piura (5,275), Ica (4,645), Ancash (3,766) and Lima (2,899). Children and adolescents infected with dengue are more than 10,000, representing 29.6% of the infected population and 13.6% of the deaths by dengue (6 out of 44). (UNICEF, 8 Mar 2024)


February 27, 2024

Affected country: Pakistan
Glide: FL-2024-000020-PAK
On 27 February, torrential downpours were recorded in Gwadar, submerging several areas, including Gwadar city and Sarabandan. Gwadar district has declared a state of emergency while rescue operations are underway. The Meteorological Department recorded rain across various locations in Balochistan, with Gwadar receiving the highest amount at 58 mm. So far, no casualty has been reported. Continued rain was seen in northern Balochistan and coastal areas until 28 February, which was followed by strong winds and rains, triggering province-wide heavy rains until 2 March. (ECHO, 29 Feb 2024)
Persistent heavy rains since 27 February in northern Balochistan continue to cause damage and casualties. The National Disaster Management Authority reported, 250 houses damaged, three children died, and 21 individuals injured. The emergency continues at the southwestern coast of Balochistan including Gawadar, Jewani, and Ormara. Government authorities, army, and paramilitary are engaged in rescue, relief and dewatering of urban flood water from houses.
The Balochistan government closed schools until 7 March. Assessments are underway to determine the extent of the damage. [...] Sindh also declares emergency in Karachi division and is observing the situation. (ECHO, 1 Mar 2024)
Heavy rainfall and strong winds have been affecting north-western Pakistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province and south-western Pakistan, Baluchistan Province over the last 48 hours, causing floods, landslides and several severe weather-related incidents that have resulted in casualties and damage.
Provincial Disaster Management Authorities from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province reported 35 death, 43 injured, 46 houses fully damaged, 346 houses partially damaged, and 15 other infrastructures partially damaged including 2 schools. Provincial Disaster Management Authorities from Balochistan reported 5 deaths, 82 fully damaged houses and 155 partially damaged houses. In addition, the media also reported 50 injured people, around 700 damaged houses and several blocked roads across both Provinces. Some reports from Gwadar districts add 21 persons injured, 5 missing and 300 displaced. In Gilgit Baltistan, heavy rains and snowfall started on the evening of 1 March triggered landslides blocking Karakoram Highway blocking at multiple locations. Rescue operations are underway by the Army and civil armed forces. (ECHO, 5 Mar 2024)
The humanitarian impact is still increasing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, north-western Pakistan following heavy rainfall, and heavy snow. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authorities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (PDMA), the number of fatalities reached 40 people while 62 others have been injured, 80 houses have been destroyed, 554 damaged as well as two schools. (ECHO, 6 Mar 2024)


February 27, 2024

Affected country: Malawi
Glide: FL-2024-000031-MWI
Between 27th February and 1st March 2024, Nkhotakota and Karonga districts experienced prolonged heavy rains that caused flooding of several rivers; 28,285 people (2280 households) need WASH services; 11,169 people (2115 Households) are in IDP camps while 17,116 are their homes in Nkhotakota district. Five boreholes and 979 taps were affected in Nkhotakota while 15 water sources (13 shallow wells and 2 boreholes) were affected in Karonga district. Immediate maintenance and rehabilitation of piped water supply system remain critical especially at Dwangwa town as well Nkhotakota Boma. Sanitation and Hygiene promotion remain critical in all camps to prevent disease outbreak. WASH Partners continue to provide humanitarian support to the affected population in all the affected districts. (UNICEF, WASH Cluster 15 Mar 2024)
Flash floods hit Malawi’s Nkhotakota district after incessant rains in the region, leaving
affected areas inaccessible by road due to widespread damage to infrastructure. The
floods left six people dead and has displaced thousands of others in Malawi’s central
region last week. Torrential rains also affected Karonga district in northern region. This
development comes a year after Cyclone Freddy ripped through Malawi and neighbouring
Mozambique and Madagascar, killing more than 500 people, mostly Malawians. More
than 14 000 people have been affected in the latest bout of floods. (WHO, 20 Mar 2024)


February 26, 2024

Affected country: Peru
Glide: FL-2024-000022-PER
On February 26th, a National State of Emergency Declaration was issued for 60 days, declaring a Level 4 Emergency due to the impact of heavy rains and flooding in 20 regions. As of March 1st, the National Institute of Civil Defense (INDECI) reported 100,551 people affected by the emergencies and 32 dead (including 9 children). More than 42,000 homes, 68 schools and 129 health centers have been affected, are inhabitable or destroyed. (UNICEF)


February 26, 2024

Affected country: Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Glide: FL-2024-000019-IRN
Due to heavy rainfall and a severe cold wave starting from Monday, February 26th to the present day, March 8th, 2023, 844 villages,14,725 households, and 63,343 individuals were severely affected across Sistan and Balouchestan provinces by the devastating floods. Over 3,000 hectares of farmland and banana gardens have been destroyed particularly in Konarak, Chabahar, and Dalgan. With 500 villages rendered inaccessible and 9 dams overflowing, the scale of destruction is profound, with over 20,000 homes damaged and vital power and drinking water networks disrupted in more than 520 villages. The rural communities, notably the 26,640 nomadic households, are among the most affected and vulnerable. So far, 258,387 people across 16 counties namely Khash, Sib-o Soran, Fanuj, Iranshahr, Mirjaveh, Nikshahr, Dalgaan, Chabahar, Saravan, Zahedan, Nimroz, Sarbaz, and Mehrestan have been affected. (IFRC, 21 Mar 2024)


February 19, 2024

Affected country: Bolivia (Plurinational State of)
Glide: FL-2024-000021-BOL
Heavy rainfall in western Bolivia has resulted in devastating landslides, causing casualties and widespread damage. On 19 February, the National Service of Meteorology and Hydrology (SENAMHI) issued a red alert for three municipalities in La Paz and an orange alert for 279 municipalities across nine departments due to persistent rain and the risk of flooding. (OCHA, 23 Feb 2024)
On 28 February, the municipality of Cobija, in northwestern Bolivia, declared a state of emergency due to intense rainfall, causing the overflowing of the Acre River. The flooding left 14 communes underwater, forcing 570 families to seek refuge in six shelters. The ongoing rainy season, exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon, has claimed 40 lives and affected over 15,000 families, nationwide. The National Meteorological Service has issued an orange weather alert for rains and thunderstorms in La Paz, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, Beni and Pando. (OCHA, 01 Mar 2024)
On 4 March 2024, the Bolivia Ministry of Defense published updated information on the severe rains affecting the country. Nine departments are under an orange alert, and the department of Pando has declared a departmental disaster. A red alert is in effect for three municipalities in the department of Pando and 21 municipalities in the department of La Paz. A municipal disaster has been declared for 18 municipalities and a municipal emergency has been declared in ten municipalities in the country. In total, 26,729 families have been affected, 43 deaths were reported, 483 homes were affected, and 842 homes destroyed, the majority of which were in the department of La Paz. In addition, 5,542 people were evacuated, the majority of which were in Pando. (PAHO, 04 Mar 2024)