On October 11, 2023, another major earthquake of magnitude 6.3 struck Herat province, worsening the humanitarian crisis following a previous quake. Thousands are in urgent need of aid, with CARE providing medical assistance and essential supplies. The situation is increasingly dire due to underfunding of relief efforts and approaching winter weather.
On October 11, 2023, another intense earthquake, measuring 6.3 in magnitude, struck near Herat city, the capital of Herat province in western Afghanistan. This disaster has left thousands of residents in critical need of humanitarian assistance, exacerbating an already dire situation following a previous earthquake on October 7 that claimed over 1,000 lives and affected more than 12,000 individuals. The devastation has led to the destruction of countless homes, forcing displaced families into temporary shelters. Reshma Azmi, Deputy Country Director for CARE Afghanistan, stated, “The people of Herat have already endured significant hardships, and this subsequent earthquake has only further exacerbated their plight.” In response, CARE is mobilizing resources to aid the affected population, deploying five mobile health clinics to provide essential medical care, particularly focusing on women and girls. Since October 8, the organization has distributed crucial supplies such as dignity kits, blankets, tarpaulins, ready meals, and water to around 2,500 individuals. The humanitarian crisis is intensified by underfunding of the response plans which has led to escalating needs among the population. With the onset of cold weather and increased hardships due to this latest quake, the urgency for assistance in shelter, food, water, and medicine has become critical. The regional hospital has reached its capacity, further highlighting the pressing need for medical supplies. CARE has been operating in Herat since 2020, ensuring the safety of its 133 local staff members, who are now redirected to address the immediate needs resulting from this earthquake. All efforts are focused on providing comprehensive support to the affected individuals.
The Herat province of Afghanistan has recently been struck by a series of devastating earthquakes, prompting urgent humanitarian responses. The initial earthquake on October 7, 2023, severely impacted the local population, leading to significant loss of life and infrastructure. Just days later, another powerful quake, measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale, further worsened the situation, compounding the challenges that residents are facing. The response from humanitarian organizations like CARE is critical in providing immediate medical aid and essential supplies to the affected population, whose needs are now exacerbated due to seasonal changes and the ongoing humanitarian funding crisis.
In summary, the recent earthquake in Herat province has exacerbated an already critical humanitarian situation, leading to increased casualties and widespread destruction. Organizations such as CARE are mobilizing resources to provide essential humanitarian assistance, focusing on medical care and vital supplies for the affected individuals. The urgency of the crisis is underscored by the need for immediate shelter, food, and medical supplies, compounded by the challenges posed by underfunded response efforts and deteriorating weather conditions.
Original Source: www.care.org
