Emergency Assistance for Heavy Snowfall in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

February 6, 2008

On February 6 (Wed), the Government of Japan decided to provide emergency assistance in kind (blankets, plastic sheets, sleeping mats, etc.), worth approximately 21 million yen (180,000 dollars), to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, which sustained disaster from heavy snowfall.
In Afghanistan, a cold wave has hit the western and other parts of the country since December last year. The situation has worsened in the end of January, resulting in deaths from freezing, and destruction of houses by the weight of snow and avalanches. As of February 5, it was confirmed that at least 483 persons have died and approximately 140,000 livestock have been killed.
　At present, the areas around the disaster-afflicted region are in a serious condition, including the food shortages caused by the blocked transportation. The Government of Afghanistan has therefore requested emergency assistance to Japan, while making maximum efforts to support those in need.
Japan has decided to extend this emergency assistance from a humanitarian point of view for the affected people and in view of the friendly relations with the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

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