Urgent Humanitarian Response Required Following Severe Earthquake in Herat Province, Afghanistan
A 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Herat Province, Afghanistan, on October 11, 2023, following a previous quake that caused widespread destruction and over 1,000 deaths. Thousands urgently need aid, prompting CARE Afghanistan to mobilize resources and provide critical support, including medical assistance and essential supplies, amidst an escalating humanitarian crisis.
On October 11, 2023, Herat Province in western Afghanistan was struck by a powerful magnitude 6.3 earthquake, compounding the devastation caused by a preceding earthquake just days earlier. This latest seismic event has left thousands more residents in urgent need of assistance, particularly as the initial quake had already inflicted significant damage, impacting over 12,000 individuals and resulting in more than 1,000 fatalities along with numerous injuries. The earthquake’s epicenter was near the city of Herat, the provincial capital, where the effects have been felt widely across the region. In response to this escalating crisis, CARE Afghanistan has mobilized resources and dispatched five mobile health clinics to deliver critical medical aid, focusing efforts on the injured and vulnerable populations, including women and girls. Reshma Azmi, Deputy Country Director of CARE Afghanistan, emphasized the dire situation, stating, “The people of Herat have already endured significant hardships, and this subsequent earthquake has only further exacerbated their plight. Since October 8, we have also distributed essential items, including dignity kits, blankets, tarpaulins, ready meals, and water to an estimated 2,500 affected individuals. Following this second earthquake, our top priority is the provision of medicine, as the regional hospital has already reached full capacity. In addition to shortages of medicine, the need for shelter, food, and water has become pressing.” The humanitarian crisis is further exacerbated by a shortfall in funding for the ongoing humanitarian response plan, leading to a rapid escalation in urgent needs. As temperatures plummet during this season, the challenges facing the affected community are anticipated to worsen, complicating efforts to secure basic necessities. CARE, which has maintained an operational presence in Herat since 2020, has redirected its health projects swiftly to assist those impacted by the seismic events. Currently, all 133 staff members of CARE in Herat are reported safe and continuing their lifesaving work amid these distressing circumstances.
The earthquake that struck Herat Province on October 11, 2023, is a continuation of a tragic series of seismic events affecting the region. The first earthquake, which occurred on October 7, resulted in substantial loss of life and widespread destruction of infrastructure. The following earthquakes have deepened the known vulnerabilities and immediate humanitarian needs among the local population, highlighting the precarious living conditions and the need for coordinated relief efforts. CARE’s response underscores the urgent medical and material assistance required to address immediate health care needs and basic survival resources in a region already suffering from previous disasters.
In summary, the consecutive earthquakes in Herat Province have significantly strained the local population, who are now facing increased hardships and urgent needs for shelter, food, and medical assistance. CARE Afghanistan continues to mobilize resources and direct aid where it is most needed to respond to the humanitarian crisis, emphasizing the importance of sustained and robust humanitarian support to assist affected communities during this challenging period.
Original Source: www.care.org
