On October 7, at around 11:00 am local time, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck western Afghanistan. The epicenter of the earthquake was located about 25 miles from the city of Herat in the Zindajan district. To date, more than 1,200 people are dead and 485 missing, and more than 12,000 people are estimated to have been impacted by the quake.
Aftershocks have continued throughout this week, causing even more damage, and local authorities expect the death toll to rise as search and rescue operations continue. In the hardest hit areas, the top humanitarian priorities include access to basic supplies, food assistance, emergency healthcare, and improved access to water, hygiene and sanitation.
Across Afghanistan, more than 29 million people are in need of humanitarian aid. According to current estimates, 15 million people, or one-third of the country’s population, is struggling to find their next meal. The country, in addition to dealing with decades of poverty, conflict, and hunger, is frequently hit by earthquakes, particularly in the Hindu Kush mountains, close to the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates.
To help families impacted by the quake and its aftershocks, Action Against Hunger has deployed our emergency team to the region. In the coming days, we will carry out assessments with other humanitarian agencies to better understand and respond to needs.
Already, we have launched an emergency response in collaboration with our local partner RSDO (Razi Social Development Organization). Together, we plan to distribute supplies to 1,400 people that will include kitchen utensils, hygiene kits, winter clothes, tarps, and blankets. In the coming weeks and months, we will also provide cash transfers to help families buy what they need to recover from this crisis and make it through the upcoming winter.
People, especially children, have suffered severe psychological distress from the earthquake and need mental health and psychosocial support. In addition to the trauma of the disaster, many families have been forced from their homes and some have been separated from each other. Together with our partner, RSDO, we will provide emergency psychological support for affected communities. As part of this work, our teams will distribute kits to families that include toys, dolls, and other items to provide comfort and joy to young children who have lost everything.
