User:Bluturtle/sandbox2
Local and International Response
[edit]In 2015, Afghanistan received US$424.4 million in international aid. [1] The value supporting avalanche relief efforts specifically are not clear, however one recipient organisation, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) was involved in relief efforts through the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS).[1]
Relief efforts were also supported by philanthropic donations such as that of the Bayat Foundation, who donated US$100,000. [2]
ARCS, through IFRC and other partners, deployed 120 volunteers to provide first-aid and assist with relief distribution. They also deployed 4 mobile health teams (1 of these to Panjsher) to provide medical assistance. 2 branch assessment teams were deployed to Panjsher for rapid assessment following clearing of the blocked roads. ARCS also deployed 1 disaster response unit to Panjsher to be on standby and assist if needed. [3]
ARCS ensured daily Emergency Operations Centre meetings to assess the ongoing situation and decide on actions to be taken by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement Partners. [3]
Afghan Ministry of Defence helicopters supported relief agencies, including ARCS, in delivering blankets, medicines, food, and humanitarian assistance to remote areas. [4] Additionally, 1000 soldiers from the Kabul Corps of the Afghan army were deployed to assist rescue efforts. [5] Emergency relief goods were also sent from neighbouring countries such as Pakistan to help victims. [6]
The Afghan Wireless Communication Company deployed mobile base stations and emergency networking equipment to provide communication between villages suffering from roadblocks following the avalanches. [2]
The Afghan president, Ashraf Ghani, allegedly pledged to establish a relief fund to help those affected, [6] however the IFRC reported that no government appeal was launched because the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) stated that there were sufficient resources for intervention. [3]
One reporter found locals feeling abandoned by the government's delayed response to the disaster, with reports of wounded victims being left in their homes up to 4 days following the avalanches before receiving any medical care. [7]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Afghanistan 2015 | Financial Tracking Service". fts.unocha.org. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
- ^ a b "Bayat Foundation Donates Emergency Relief Funds To Afghans Affected By Massive Avalanches In Panjshir Province | Afghan Wireless". Retrieved 2022-10-22.
- ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
:12was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Neuman, Scott (2015-03-01). "Avalanches Kill Nearly 250 In Afghanistan". NPR. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
- ^ "Afghanistan avalanche toll rises to 165 amid rescue efforts". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
- ^ a b "Relief efforts underway for victims of Afghan avalanche". ABC News. 2015-03-01. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
- ^ "Avalanche Victims Criticize Government's Emergency Response". TOLOnews. Retrieved 2022-10-22.