GENEVA: In the aftermath of a series of devastating earthquakes that rocked Herat Province in October 2023, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has urgently called for $25 million in assistance to bolster critical elements of the recovery plan.
The earthquakes, registering a magnitude of 6.3, wrought widespread destruction, impacting 1.6 million individuals. The toll included over 1,500 fatalities, 11,000 injuries, and extensive damage to more than 21,000 homes and vital infrastructure. This catastrophe has compounded the suffering of communities already burdened by deep poverty and underdevelopment, as emphasized by the UNDP in a statement.
The survivors, many of whom are women and children, are currently enduring challenging conditions, residing in makeshift tents exposed to harsh cold, and facing urgent needs for essentials such as water, healthcare, food, and adequate shelter, as highlighted in the statement.
The UNDP’s appeal is an integral component of a broader Herat Earthquake Response Plan crafted by the UN Humanitarian Country Team, which requires $93.6 million to support 114,000 people facing dire circumstances as winter approaches. UNDP, in cooperation with UN partners and non-governmental organizations, has already earmarked $3.15 million from its own resources for immediate relief and recovery efforts. Nonetheless, this allocation falls short of meeting the substantial demand for recovery and reconstruction, the UNDP noted.
Stephen Rodriques, UNDP Resident Representative in Afghanistan, emphasized the dire situation on the ground and the urgency of the approaching winter. The primary objective is to expedite the restoration of fundamental infrastructure, particularly shelter, and to help communities return to normalcy swiftly. While some existing resources have been reallocated to initiate rapid action, they remain insufficient to address the magnitude of the crisis.
The UNDP’s appeal for an additional $25 million aims to fund various critical initiatives, including transitional and permanent shelter construction, the rebuilding of essential infrastructure, provision of renewable energy, restoration and management of water systems and resources, and the creation of temporary (cash-for-work) and long-term job and livelihood opportunities.
Amidst the ongoing global crises, Afghanistan is grappling with an array of challenges. It finds itself on the periphery of international attention, despite being in dire need of assistance. The recent earthquake disaster compounds the hardships faced by a nation that has endured four decades of conflict. These earthquakes have struck communities already living in profound poverty, and a significant portion of the population lacks adequate access to food. UNDP’s appeal underscores the urgency of the situation and calls upon the international community not to overlook Afghanistan and the needs of its people, particularly the devastated communities in Herat.
