One year after devastating earthquakes rocked the Herat region of western Afghanistan, UNICEF has issued a cautionary statement, describing the recovery progress as fragile and calling for sustained support for children and community resilience.
“Communities are showing signs of recovery,” UNICEF stated. “Families are slowly rebuilding their lives, but as winter approaches, community resilience remains weak, which could reverse recovery efforts for those still struggling with the loss of loved ones, homes, and livelihoods.”
The initial earthquake, which struck on October 7, 2022, measured 6.4 in magnitude and displaced around 48,000 families. According to reports, approximately 1,480 people were killed, and 1,950 others were injured. Tragically, over 90 percent of the fatalities were women and children, many of whom were forced to seek refuge in temporary shelters with limited resources.
In response to the crisis, UNICEF targeted around 96,000 children with immediate healthcare, water and sanitation services, cash assistance, and psychosocial support. Over the past year, UNICEF has focused on restoring essential infrastructure and services in the region. The agency reports that more than 1 million people have accessed healthcare services through its medical teams and facilities, including 400,000 children under the age of five.
UNICEF also stated that it has rehabilitated damaged water systems, rebuilt classrooms, and supported the provision of uninterrupted health and nutrition services for women and children. Clean drinking water has been restored for 21,600 people, and sanitation facilities have been installed for 25,000 individuals.
Despite these efforts, the organization emphasized that many survivors continue to face significant challenges, including limited access to education and health facilities. UNICEF is urging the international community to bolster support for these vulnerable populations as they confront the ongoing impacts of the disaster and prepare for winter.
