Aid for Afghan flood victims

The United Nations says it is proving difficult to get help to people affected by floods in southern Afghanistan, because of security concerns.

A UN spokesman said some of the worst affected areas were in regions that were off-limits to UN and other international aid agencies.

Instead it was channeling emergency aid to the flood victims through the local authorities.

Officials say about 30 people have died, and 45 houses have been washed away in the flash floods in Helmand province.

Tents, blankets and food are also being sent to more than 200 families who had to be airlifted from their homes on the Shomali plains, north of Kabul.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service