KABUL, Afghanistan — The United Nations has renewed its call for humanitarian assistance to support victims of the devastating earthquakes that struck Herat province in October 2023, further compounding Afghanistan’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.
“Over a year ago, earthquakes devastated Afghanistan’s Herat Province, which was already reeling from decades of conflict and underdevelopment,” the U.N.’s humanitarian agency said in a statement on X.
The 6.3-magnitude earthquakes killed more than 1,480 people, injured 1,950 others, and caused widespread destruction. According to the U.N., 275,000 people were affected across 382 villages, with more than 10,000 homes completely destroyed. The quakes also severely damaged key infrastructure, including health centers, schools, and water networks.
Following the disaster, international organizations, including the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund and the U.N. Central Emergency Response Fund, provided millions of dollars in aid. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that assistance included emergency shelter, healthcare, food aid, and support for water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
However, one year later, many affected families continue to struggle. Already burdened by years of war and economic hardship, they now face worsening conditions, including water shortages, inadequate schools, and a lack of basic necessities such as drinking water and proper shelter.
The U.N. has warned that Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis remains severe and that urgent assistance is needed. Millions of people, particularly women and girls, remain in desperate need of aid.
A significant funding shortfall has made relief efforts even more difficult. The U.N. has received only 40 percent of the required budget for Afghanistan’s humanitarian response, raising concerns about the country’s ability to withstand future crises.
