Livelihood vulnerability to snowmelt-related flood (WFP, UNEP & NEPA - 2016)

Livelihood zones dominated by irrigated crop production are most vulnerable to snowmelt-related flooding, being more likely to be located along rivers and canals at risk of overflowing. In addition to directly damaging crops and livestock, accelerated snowmelt can also cause changes in wildlife habitats, vegetation cover and associated grazing patters.

Rainfed livelihood zones are considered moderately vulnerable. While these zones are generally less likely to be located near overflowing rivers and canals than irrigated zones, a significant proportion of households in those zones will still be located along rivers, and are therefore still quite vulnerable to this type of flooding.

Livelihood zones dominated by non-agricultural activities (timber harvesting, cross-border trade, cross-border labor migration, and handi-crafts) are least vulnerable.

Source: The map comes from a report "Climate Change in Afghanistan: What does it Mean for Rural Livelihoods and Food Security?", which was produced jointly by the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Afghanistan's National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA). The map was produced based on the livelihood zones produced by FEWSNET.