CARE, Afghanistan – October 16, 2023 – Afghanistan has been struck by three strong earthquakes in just over a week, causing widespread death, destruction, and trauma. The latest earthquake, a 6.3-magnitude event on October 15, 2023, struck Herat province once again. To date, the earthquakes have resulted in more than 1,300 deaths and 2,000 injuries. Approximately 19,000 people in total have been affected. These numbers are expected to rise.
“The earthquakes in Afghanistan have disproportionately affected women and girls, and there is an urgent need for psychosocial support,” said Reshma Azmi, CARE Afghanistan Deputy Country Director. “Women and girls are more likely to be victims of the earthquakes due to a lack of earthquake safety and preparedness knowledge, as well as restrictions on their rights and mobility. The disaster is also likely to worsen the mental health crisis that Afghan women are already experiencing.”
“Thousands of traumatized women and girls in Herat need urgent psychosocial support,” said Dr. Khatera Azami, nutrition counselor at CARE Herat, who has been providing health relief to quake-affected communities. “Psychosocial services are just as urgent a need as healthcare services for affected communities.”
Nasir Ahmad Foshanji, the provincial manager of CARE in Herat, described the urgency of the situation,
“Many people in Herat are facing dire circumstances, with thousands living in open spaces. Immediate necessities include shelter, clothing, healthcare services, and the fundamental infrastructure required for stable communities.”
CARE is on the ground with partners in Herat province, providing critical assistance to people affected by the earthquakes. It has deployed five 24/7 mobile health clinics and psychosocial support teams to help affected communities. CARE has also distributed essential items, including dignity kits, blankets, tarpaulins, ready meals, and water, to an estimated 2,500 affected individuals.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Sarita Suwannarat
Sarita.Suwannarat@care.org
Based in Bangkok, Thailand
Anisa Husain
Anisa.Husain@care.org
Based in the USA
Note to Editors
- CARE first established its operation in Afghanistan in 1961. Today, CARE is one of the leading humanitarian international NGOs in Afghanistan fighting poverty and providing life-saving assistance to vulnerable Afghans.
- CARE Afghanistan has 900 staff in 9 provinces, almost 40% of whom are female. Its programs focus on humanitarian crisis, education, and health.
- As of today, only 33.9% of the Humanitarian Response Fund in Afghanistan has been funded.