A series of earthquakes hit Baghlan province in Northern Afghanistan.
The initial quakes flattened the market town of Nahrin and surrounding
villages. According to earlier information from government sources
in Kabul the quakes hit with a force of 6.0 respectively 5.0 on the
Richter Scale injuring 4,000 people and leaving about 20,000 homeless.
The death toll is not clear, as figures being quoted range from 1,000
to 3,000 people. Fears have however been expressed that the death
toll may be higher. According to the United Nations, the relief operation
is a "logistical nightmare" because the mountainous area in Baghlan
province is very remote and difficult to access.
ACT members are monitoring the situation and already
responding to the needs of the victims.
ACT member Church World Service (CWS) Pakistan/Afghanistan
has sent 7,000 quilts from Quetta in Pakistan, close to the border
to Afghanistan, to the affected area. There they will, with the help
of staff from CWS partner Shuhada, distribute the quilts to those
displaced by the earthquake.
ACT member Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) has
delivered 3,422 tents, 2,500 jerry cans, 1,300 blankets and 4,500
quilts to the airport in Kabul, but because of the lack of aircrafts
the items now have to be transported by road. NCA further reports
that four of their local Afghan partners, CoAR, ADA, AREA, NPO/RRAA
– have sent a joint team to the area and are now co-ordinating their
response and resources with each other as well as NCA/ACT. Radio communication
has also been established.
ACT member Diakonie Emergency Aid (DEA) is
preparing to re-direct relief goods such as clothes and food to the
earthquake area.
The ACT Co-ordinating Office is in contact with the different ACT
members on the ground.
