Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 8th Oct. UN humanitarian office, agencies, partners on Saturday reported that a major earthquake hit Herat has killed at least 100 people and a spate of rescue and assessment missions by UN agencies, partners, and the de facto authorities.
OCHA said initial assessments indicated that the 6.3 magnitude quake caused deaths across 8 villages, with a 500 people injured.
It reported that earthquake destroyed 465 houses and damaged 135. Mahal Wadakah was the worst affected village.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement issued by UN spokesman that he is deeply saddened by the loss of life caused by the earthquake which hit near Herat City in western Afghanistan earlier.
He expressed his solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and extends his sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a swift recovery to those injured, the statement said.
Mr. Guterres called on the international community to come together and support people impacted by the earthquake, many of whom were already in need before this crisis.
Partners and local authorities expected the number of casualties to increase as search and rescue efforts continued amid reports that some people may be trapped under collapsed buildings.
According to OCHA, the quake hit 40 kilometres west of Heart around 11am local time, several aftershocks have since occurred, with the initial quake felt in Badghis and Farah provinces.
UN agency said 4,200 people, or about 600 families are assessed to have been affected to date, including 1,400 internally displaced persons.
The agency is coordinating with the de-facto authorities, including the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority, the IOM, WFP and other aid agencies deployed five emergency assessment teams as part of an initial response.
The humanitarian partners have initiated relief efforts, deploying medical and trauma support to regional hospitals alongside emergency shelter, food, supplies, and assistance to people in affected areas.
Over 200 people are receiving emergency trauma care in Herat Provincial Hospital, where the WHO has deployed three trauma kits sufficient to treat 150 surgeries.
IOM and the UNHCR will provide emergency shelter support to 700 families, including 640 tents, blankets, and other needed items.
WFP will dispatch high-energy biscuits for 710 affected households across several villages in Zindajan district, and the UN agency for reproductive health will provide 1,300 dignity kits for women and girls.
UNICEF is expected to deploy an emergency response team to Zindajan on Sunday.
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