Deadly earthquake hits Afghanistan on Sunday, 9 October 2023

WORLD

Afghanistan: Thousands of families severely affected by earthquake

Thousands of children and families are at risk after an earthquake hit Afghanistan, with international aid organizations calling for urgent humanitarian assistance.

By Sr. Nina Benedikta Krapić, VMZ

More than 2,000 people were killed in a devastating 6.3-magnitude earthquake and several strong aftershocks that struck northwest Afghanistan on Sunday. Rescuers are continuing their search for survivors.

"The extent of the damage is tremendous. The number of people affected by this tragedy is truly alarming and is bound to increase as people in Herat are still trapped in the rubble of their homes,” said Arshad Malik, Director of Save the Children in Afghanistan.

More than 9,000 affected families

The earthquake devastated much of Herat province and has left thousands of children homeless. More than 9,000 families have been severely affected, warns Save the Children.

"Thousands of children and families are now homeless, without shelter. They have lost everything. The terror of aftershocks and building collapses have forced them to flee into the open in Herat,” says Mr. Malik.

He added that “this is a crisis within a crisis”, because children were suffering from severe food shortages even before this disaster.

The organization is working to provide families with cash aid so that they can buy materials to rebuild their homes and other basic necessities, such as food and drinking water, and pay for medical care.

Urgent need of humanitarian aid

Life-saving humanitarian assistance from donors is needed immediately, according to the Save the Children organisation, and adds that without immediate funding, there will be an impact on pre-existing humanitarian programs as well, as funding, already insufficient to meet needs.

“The international community cannot turn its back on the children of Herat who urgently need help," stresses the organisation.

UNICEF in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan

Teams from the UN children’s fund, UNICEF, are also on the ground, helping injured people and conducting further assessments.

The injured are being treated at nearby health care centres with emergency medicines provided by UNICEF and its partners. However, since clinics are overburdened, UNICEF is also providing emergency tents.

They have also delivered 10,000 sanitation kits, 5,000 family kits, 1,500 sets of winter clothes, as well as blankets, 1,000 tarpaulins and basic household items.

"Together with our partners, we will make every effort to quickly bring relief to those affected," says Fran Equiza, UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan.