Released: 1/11/2011 12:44:35 PM

Contact Information:

U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S.
Geological Survey
Office of Communication
119 National Center
Reston, VA 20192

Heidi Koontz
Phone: 303-202-4763

Clarice Nassif Ransom
Phone: 703-648-4299

While the U.S. Geological Survey recorded 22 magnitude-7 or larger earthquakes in 2010, almost all the fatalities were produced by one - the major quake that hit Haiti on Jan. 12.

In 2010, about 227,000 people were killed due to earthquakes, with over 222,570 from the magnitude-7.0 Haiti event,

REPORT SUMMARY

This report offers international agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the U.S. government, the media, and the public an overview of the humanitarian and development assistance being provided to the people of Afghanistan by InterAction member agencies.

The 22 member organizations that submitted information for this report are conducting relief and development operations in Afghanistan. Various issues are addressed in their programs, including agriculture and food security, shelter, gender, water and sanitation, health

By Lydia Geirsdottir

Humanitarian Reform Officer Afghanistan

Background

On 19 April 2010, an earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale struck Samangan province in northern Afghanistan. This resulted in the death of 8 people and 50 injured, with homes in more than 50 villages completely or partially destroyed in the districts of Dara-i-Sufi Bala, Darai-Sufi Payin and Ruyi Du Ab. The affected villages are remote and extremely difficult to access, located at high altitudes, ranging between 2,200 and 2,600 metres above sea level and exposed to extreme

10 Aug 2010

Afghanistan is extremely susceptible to recurring natural disasters due to its geographical location and years of environmental degradation. The country regularly experiences flooding, earthquakes, avalanches, landslides, and drought in addition to other man-made disasters resulting in the frequent loss of lives, livelihoods, property, and contributing to high levels of poverty across the country.

Due to years of conflict and neglect, Afghanistan's institutional capacity to cope with the devastating effects

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Afghanistan's continually deteriorating security vulnerable population and exacerbates humanitarian needs In the first four months of 2010, the average number of security incidents was 52% higher than the same period in 2009. This is due to a combination of factors including increased international military troops, security force operations in the South, and significant armed opposition groups'

- Food security conditions are expected to generally remain stable throughout the country in the next 6 months, with the exception of isolated areas.

- Good food security conditions are attributable to the 2009 historical large harvest, favorable 2010 harvest forecast and low wheat prices.

- Isolated food insecurity is likely to occur between April and September for rain-fed and downstream farms and pastoralists in the eastern parts of the country because of poor precipitation.

- Other isolated food insecure areas

This report was issued by OCHA Kabul. It covers the period from 25 April to 29 April 2010

I. HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES

- Shelter for 3,000 families remains the most urgent need.

- Daily aftershocks continue to further destroy damaged homes and people fear returning to their homes.

- Cold weather continues to cause problems for families affected by the earthquake, with increasing risks of hypothermia for people sleeping outdoors.

DR NILAB MOBAREZ: Good morning and thank you all for coming. Today, our guest speaker is Dr Laroche from WHO, Assistant Director-General for Health Action in Crises. We also have with us Peter Graaff, the Country Representative for WHO. But, first we have some information to share with you on the UN special envoy, Staffan de Mistura's first six weeks in Afghanistan.

SRSG de Mistura has concluded his first six weeks in office as top UN envoy for Afghanistan. He left on Thursday to attend various meetings outside the country, including the North Atlantic

I. LATEST INFORMATION

Based on polio vaccination campaigns carried out in Samangan in 2009, WHO have provided overall population figures.

Dara-i-Sufi Bala: 122,600 people

Dara-i-Sufi Payin: 75,585 people

Ruyi du Ab: 56,012 people

II. SITUATION OVERVIEW

Food and shelter remain the most urgent needs.

The poor weather has not improved over the past week with cold conditions and snow in many areas. There is a constant threat of flooding from rivers and access roads using river beds are blocked by water.

III. HUMANITARIAN NEEDS AND RESPONSE

Food and Nutrition