More than 1,400 people killed in 6.0 magnitude earthquake
ShelterBox is responding to powerful earthquakes that have devastated parts of eastern Afghanistan.
Whole communities have been left without homes after two quakes struck within days of one another, flattening whole villages. More than 1,400 people have been killed – and the death toll is rising all the time.
A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck the area late on Sunday. Many inhabitants were asleep at the time. A second earthquake (5.1 magnitude) hit the same region on Tuesday afternoon.
‘Thousands of homes, mostly made from mud bricks and wood structures, have collapsed, leaving many people and families homeless,’ says Jonty Ellaby, Emergency Co-ordinator at ShelterBox.
‘Hundreds of thousands of people are affected, and survivors are sleeping in the open, exposed to the elements and fearful of further tremors.’
‘We’ll be working with a partner based in the affected region to support people who’ve lost their homes with emergency shelter.’
Remote, mountainous, but populated, areas of Kunar and Nangarhar have been devastated.
The shallow depth of the quakes, just 10km, made them especially destructive. Access remains challenging and communication networks are down, making it hard to understand the full scale of the damage.
‘We’re ready to go in these moments’
ShelterBox has significant experience responding to challenging situations like this and will be working with its local partner to get vitally needed aid to those who need it most.
With temperatures already falling at night in the mountains robust tents are needed so people can protect themselves and their families from the cold.
‘Our preparedness work around the world has included Afghanistan – so that we’re ready to go in these moments.’
‘That means we have existing partners in the country, who are already carrying out assessments to find out where our support is most needed. Together, we’re looking to source tents in Afghanistan so we can respond more quickly.’
‘With houses completely flattened, tents allow people in cold mountainous areas temporary shelter, especially with winter around the corner.’
Before the earthquakes, Afghanistan was already facing a deep humanitarian crisis. It’s been estimated that half its population, nearly 23 million people needed assistance.
‘Even before the earthquakes, we were exploring how to support people ahead of winter who are returning to remote areas of Afghanistan after previously being displaced by conflict.’
‘The need has only grown, and we have a team preparing to travel to Afghanistan if needed.’
Search and rescue efforts are still underway
Hundreds of thousands of people have returned to Afghanistan in the last few months from Iran and Pakistan, with many more at risk of being deported in the coming months.
Many returnees fled Afghanistan due to years of conflict, economic collapse, and fear following the Taliban’s return to power. Some haven’t been in Afghanistan for years, or ever.
Many are registered by the authorities and given money for transport to their home provinces to find their old homes demolished, occupied or sold.
Aid agencies are responding to both crises, but resources are extremely stretched, especially with the severe impact recent funding cuts have had on Afghanistan.
Search and rescue efforts are still underway following the earthquakes but are being hampered by further aftershocks.
Breaktime News has previously reported on how ShelterBox has helped people affected by earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
