Afghanistan: Earthquake - Feb 1998

The earthquake (magnitude 6.1 on the Richter scale) of 4 February, affecting the Rustaq district in Takhar Province about 50 km from the border with Tajikistan, has, according to the current assessment results, affected 24 villages with a total population of approximately 32,000 people. Some 17,600 people live in the nine most severely damaged villages. According to figures released by the local authorities, the death toll is 2,323 with 818 people injured, 8,094 houses destroyed and 3.083 livestock killed. (OCHA, 6 Apr 1998)

The emergency phase in Rustaq is now over. From 19 - 25 March, a joint assessment mission of UN Agencies, the Red Cross Movement and NGOs was facilitated by UNOCHA in Rustaq. The mission was to review the rehabilitation needs and possible future interventions by different agencies. It has been estimated that the requirement for rebuilding is around 1,000 damaged houses to provide shelter for over 4,800 people in the four worst affected villages. In addition, some 200 houses need rebuilding in relatively less affected villages. Although these are preliminary estimates, the idea would be to use local equipment and expertise for rehabilitation activities. (OCHA, 6 Apr 1998)