Herat Earthquake Response: OSAA provided humanitarian services for the affected women and children.
A severe 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck Herat Province, western Afghanistan, on October 7, 2023, at roughly 11:00 a.m. local time. Following the original quake, multiple aftershocks shook the region, affecting adjacent provinces Badghis and Farah as well. The damage was enormous, causing extensive damage to villages and critical infrastructure.
In addition, a series of more than 60 earthquake aftershocks occurred on October 8,9, 11, and 13 till October 29 in the city and districts of Herat province, causing more financial and life losses to the local communities.
According to the preliminary UN-OCHA assessment, 1,384 people have been killed, and 1,853 people have been injured in Herat Province. Women and children are overly represented in reported casualties. In total, more than 15 villages in Zinda Jan, Rubat Sangi, Gulran, and Injil districts and some other district areas were affected by the earthquakes. During the last week, our team was able to survey the following villages:
Surveyed Villages in Zinda Jan district:
1. Cheshma-e-Ghori
2. Asia badak
3. Siah Aab
4. Koshkak
5. Karnail Wardak-ha
6. Sarboland
7. Nayeb Rafih
8. Sanjab
9. Kajkal
10. Qala-e-Ghazi
11. Qala-e-Saido
12. Sang Safid
13. Azghalak
Surveyed Villages in Gulran district:
1. Asia bad bala
2. Ahmadak (Ahmad Kal)
3. Bootan
After the earthquakes on October 7 in Herat province, OSAA had the initiative of creating a voluntary working group for the management of cash and other assistance for the affected people as well as the distribution of some existing items (such as clothes, shoes, and tents) for some people in the mentioned villages.
Also, a multi-sectorial rapid assessment of all the affected areas around Herat province started on October 9, 2023, in affected districts led by UN-OCHA with the participation of NGOs including OSAA.
In addition, OSAA distributed more than 50 tents, 50 blankets, and 500 cloth packages for the affected women and families in Zinda Jan, Gulran, and Rubat Sangi villages.
Also, OSAA started building 2 toilet buildings in the 2 most affected villages with the support of the people of South Australia led by the Farda Association supported by Pamir Society SA.
It should be mentioned that OSAA is going to provide much more humanitarian services for the affected people especially women and children from the recent earthquakes in Herat province during the upcoming weeks.
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