Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 12th Oct. UN agencies on Wednesday said that the teams have stepped up their response after strong earthquake struck western Afghanistan just days after powerful earthquakes killed over 2,000 people in the same region.
The 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck near the city of Herat at 5:10 AM (00:40 AM GMT) local time, injuring over 100 people, many of whom were taken to hospitals, according to media reports.
World Food Programme is supplying emergency food assistance to the affected communities, while the International Organization for Migration has dispatched medical teams to support hospitals and help treat the wounded.
UNICEF has brought in blankets and shelters, potable water and is providing psychosocial support services.
The quakes affected more than 12,100 people, in some 1,730 families, most of them women and children.
Over 2,000 people lost their lives, a vast majority among them women and children.
Rebecca Phwitiko, UNICEF Communications Officer in Afghanistan said those who survived have lost their loved ones, their homes and possessions.
“Yesterday, I met children in one of the damaged villages, families have lost everything, and they do not know how they will survive the coming winter,” she said.
She emphasized the urgent need for international support.
“We urge you not to forget the children of Afghanistan,” she said.
UN agency has launched a $20 million appeal for its aid operations in this disaster.
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