At 5:10 AM local time (00:40 AM GMT), a 6.3 magnitude earthquake occurred near Herat, causing injuries to more than 100 individuals. According to media sources, many of the injured were transported to hospitals for treatment.

UN response

International organizations have increased their aid efforts by sending teams to evaluate the destruction and aid in ongoing humanitarian endeavors.

The WFP has provided urgent food aid to the impacted populations, and the IOM has sent medical personnel to assist hospitals in treating the injured.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has delivered blankets and temporary housing, clean drinking water, and is offering psychological support services.

Approaching winter

Before the earthquake that occurred on Wednesday, previous tremors had impacted over 12,100 individuals from approximately 1,730 households, with a majority being women and children.

More than 2,000 individuals died, with the majority being women and children.

Rebecca Phwitiko, a UNICEF Communications Officer in Afghanistan, stated that the survivors have suffered the loss of their loved ones, homes, and possessions.

She mentioned that she had visited a village that had been affected by the disaster and had met some children. The families there had lost everything and were unsure of how they would make it through the upcoming winter.

The UNICEF representative stressed the immediate requirement for global assistance.

She pleaded for the children of Afghanistan not to be forgotten.

The United Nations organization has initiated a fundraising effort of $20 million to support their humanitarian efforts in response to this catastrophic event.

Source: news.un.org