Afghanistan Earthquake: Pakistan to send medical team, 50 tents, 500 blankets and more in humanitarian aid

As per the latest update, about 2,500 people have died as a consequence of a severe earthquake that jolted Afghanistan on Saturday.

An earthquake of a magnitude of 6.3 hit the province of Herat in the troubled country, becoming one of the deadliest quakss experienced in the past two decades in Afghanistan.

It jostled the districts of Zenda Jan and Ghorian.

According to Abdul Wahid Rayan, spokesperson for the Ministry of Information and Culture, about six villages have been destroyed and hundreds of civilians have been buried under the debris

As of Sunday, 1,240 people were injured and 1,320 houses were completely destroyed.

While Afghanistan’s healthcare system is majorly dependent on foreign aid, China’s Red Cross Society has offered $200,000 in emergency cash aid.

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric has stated, “The United Nations and our partners in Afghanistan are coordinating with the de facto authorities to swiftly assess needs and provide emergency assistance,”

According to the UN, its Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has deployed teams “to join ongoing humanitarian efforts” and dispatched 10,000 hygiene kits, 5,000 family kits, 1,500 sets of winter clothes, blankets, 1,000 tarpaulins, and basic household items, “which will complement support provided by other UN agencies and partners”.

Pakistan’s Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, posted a statement on X (formerly Twitter) stating that Pakistan stands in solidarity with Afghans during this difficult time.

Deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake in Herat, Afghanistan. Our hearts go out to the affected communities. We stand in solidarity with the Afghans during this difficult time. I have instructed @NDMAPk to send maximum support to the affected.
Afghanistan government has…

— Anwaar ul Haq Kakar (@anwaar_kakar) October 9, 2023

Pakistan Foreign Office also posted on social media stating that the country is in contact with Afghan authorities to get a “first-hand assessment of the urgent needs” of the victims and that Pakistan will extend “all possible support to the recovery effort.”

🔊: PR NO. 1️⃣9️⃣5️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣

Earthquake in Afghanistan

🔗⬇️ https://t.co/lx2RFa1xpN pic.twitter.com/JnHiuLBcbR

— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) October 8, 2023