Afghanistan signs 6.6-mln-USD agreements to boost disaster resilience

KABUL, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Afghanistan's National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) announced on Sunday it had signed 18 memorandums of understanding with domestic and international partners over the past month to support disaster-prone and vulnerable communities.

Valued at 6,677,619 U.S. dollars, the agreements aim to bolster disaster preparedness, reduce risks from natural hazards, deliver emergency assistance to those affected by calamities, and strengthen long-term support for at-risk populations nationwide, it added.

Official figures show that natural disasters, including heavy rains, windstorms, earthquakes, lightning strikes, roof collapses, landslides and flash floods killed 769 people and injured 1,634 others over the past year. A total of 44,918 families were affected across the country.

Afghanistan ranks among the world's most disaster-vulnerable nations, where recurring flash floods, landslides, prolonged droughts and avalanches continue to claim lives, inflict heavy economic losses and force communities from their homes.