Following a devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake in northwestern Afghanistan that claimed the lives of more than 2,000 people, the United Nations and several countries are mobilizing aid efforts.
The UN humanitarian coordinator has authorized the allocation of $5 million from the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF) emergency reserve.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) will expedite the allocation process, with eligible partners able to utilize their grants effective from October 9th.
It is noted that the AHF allocations will depend on the receipt of additional donor resources. Additionally, UN partners will formulate an emergency appeal, which will constitute a subset of the existing 2023 humanitarian response plan.
In response to the Herat earthquake, OCHA stated, “To bolster the relief efforts, the Humanitarian Coordinator has greenlit a $5 million emergency reserve allocation from the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF).”
UNICEF has taken action by sending thousands of hygiene kits, family kits with cooking supplies, and winter clothing to the most vulnerable children and families.
Furthermore, several nations have made commitments to provide assistance, including food, blankets, medicines, tents, and funds:
Pakistan, under the leadership of Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar, has been specifically requested by Kabul to dispatch medical teams, field hospitals, tents, and blankets. The requested items started being dispatched on Monday afternoon, with more relief supplies on the way.
Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdullahian has pledged humanitarian aid and expressed a willingness to collaborate with Afghanistan.
The Chinese Embassy in Kabul announced that on October 9th, Minister Bao Xuhui of the Chinese Embassy in Afghanistan, in a meeting with Taliban officials, delivered an emergency humanitarian cash assistance of $200,000 provided by the Red Cross Society of China. This contribution is intended to support Afghanistan’s earthquake relief efforts in Herat Province.
