The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said that it “urgently reiterates” its call for immediate action and international support as Afghanistan is facing an escalating humanitarian crisis following a devastating series of earthquakes in the western provinces.
The IFRC in a statement stressed that an existing appeal for 120 million Swiss Francs remains critically underfunded, with only 36 percent raised.
Two deadly earthquakes shocked the western province of Herat on October 7 and 11, the first caused over 2,400 deaths and injuries to over 2,000 people.
Around 140 people were wounded in the second earthquake that happened on October 11.
The US special envoy for Afghanistan, Thomas West, said on X that Washington is providing “$12 million in immediate humanitarian assistance following the earthquakes that struck northwestern Afghanistan October 7 and 11.”
“Assistance will provide much-needed supplies: safe drinking water; emergency shelter kits; materials to cook & collect water; blankets,” he said.
Beijing has also announced emergency humanitarian assistance of 30 million yuan ($4.11 million) to the victims of earthquakes, Chinese media reported, quoting Xu Wei, a spokesperson for the China International Development Cooperation Agency.
Mir Shikib Mir, an economist, said: “The people of Afghanistan, particularly the vulnerable people in Herat, need the international assistance. The aid now has a vital importance to the people of Afghanistan.”
Speaking at a press conference, Stéphane Dujarric said that the response to the people affected by the earthquake continues and the “international colleagues are working with local partners to support impacted communities.”
“The International Organization for Migration distributed humanitarian aid to 930 families in the affected area and in sites in Herat city hosting families who have been displaced by the disaster,” he said. “This includes shelter assistance to more than 700 families whose homes were completely destroyed by the earthquakes.”
