Nuristan, Afghanistan — Qamargull and her husband were looking forward to welcoming their fourth child as her pregnancy approached her due date. But the floods that followed last week's heavy rainfall in Parun District changed her life in an instant, turning the excitement into gloom.
On July 20, a non-stop downpour triggered devastating flash floods that swept through Parun District in Nuristan Province, causing widespread destruction and affecting hundreds of families. Among them was the family of 25-year-old Qamargull, as they tragically lost her husband, who was swept away by gushing floodwater.
For Qamargull, the disaster meant far more than the loss of her husband. She now faces the sole responsibility of raising their three young children and the fourth, whom she would soon give birth to. Overwhelmed by grief and uncertainty, she worried about how she would care for her children without the support she had expected.
The day after the floods, the Emergency Response Team mobilized by UNFPA and its local NGO partner, Afghan Family Guidance Association, visited Parun to assess the needs of women and girls affected by the disaster. Qamargull, who is in her last trimester of pregnancy, was given immediate maternal health care to ensure that she and the child in her womb are safe and healthy.
The mother also received psychological first aid and counselling, providing her a safe space to express her grief and fears. She was referred to a UNFPA-supported Psychosocial Counselling Centre for further mental health and psychosocial support.
Psychosocial counsellor Raihana Bibi said:
“In emergencies, emotional support is as important as meeting immediate physical needs. Psychological first aid helps people begin the process of coping with trauma and connects them with the continued support they need."
For pregnant women, climate-related disasters can disrupt access to health services, family support and protection at a time when they are most needed. Timely reproductive health care and psychosocial support help women navigate crises safely and with dignity.
"When I lost my husband, I felt like everything had fallen apart. I did not know how I would care for my children or prepare for the birth of my baby,” Qamargull said. “The support I received reminded me that I am not alone and gave me the strength to keep going."
Through its emergency response in Nuristan, with crucial support from the Government of the United Kingdom, UNFPA is helping ensure that women and girls affected by the floods can access life-saving services and receive the care and protection they need to navigate the crisis with dignity.
Qamargull also received a blanket and Mama & Baby Kit, which contains essential clothing and hygiene items in preparation for her upcoming delivery. The kit helps displaced women protect themselves and their newborn's health and hygiene during emergencies. The provision of the kit to the affected women is made possible through the support of the Government of China.
