Attachments
Following the 5.9 magnitude earthquake that hit the southeast region of Afghanistan, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Secretariat revised its Emergency Appeal, increased its funding ask from CHF80 million to CHF 90 million and extended the operation’s timeframe until 31 December 2023. The increase in funding requirements was necessitated to enable IFRC scaling up its humanitarian assistance as well as to implement interventions that bridge development. Extending the operation’s geographical coverage from 19 to all 34 provinces of the country and increasing the target to 1 million people. The revision of the Emergency Appeal contains two Operational Strategies: Earthquake in Paktika and Khost seeking CHF 10 million, and the Wider Humanitarian Crises seeking CHF 80 million. To date, the earthquake response Operational Strategy is 72 per cent funded. Further funding contributions are needed to enable the Afghanistan Red Crescent Society (ARCS), with the support of the IFRC, to continue providing humanitarian assistance and protection to people affected by the earthquake.
Situation Analysis
Description of the crisis
On 22 June 2022, a 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck south-eastern Afghanistan, leading to wide-scale destruction across already vulnerable districts in Paktika and Khost provinces. Around 1,036 deaths (230 of them children) and 2,949 injuries (591 of them children) were recorded. In addition to the loss of life and devastating injury, the earthquake resulted in the destruction of critical infrastructure - including homes, health facilities, schools, and water networks -leaving thousands vulnerable to further harm.
According to the shelter cluster, 7,715 houses were destroyed, and 7,056 households were damaged. Following the disaster, ARCS mounted a response operation and launched an appeal for 10 million Swiss Francs to help ARCS emergency and relief efforts.
By the end of January 2023, IFRC and its International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners network had reached more than 93,725 people with at least one form of humanitarian assistance. This includes support to 19,984 people with health services, 56,444 people with multipurpose emergency cash assistance (MPCA), 35,141 people with household items and shelter repair assistance; 18,855 people with household items, 93,725 people have also been reached with risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) health measures to prevent the spread of acute watery diarrhoea (AWD).
In terms of gaps, not all households whose houses were fully destroyed and/or severely damaged have received assistance for rebuilding/repairing. Hundreds of households are still living in camp settings or have resorted to self-made bunkers as a way of coping with winter. There is an immediate need for winter response packages for saving the lives of the people.
The recent edicts released by authorities, particularly on women's participation in society, have driven a 25 per cent increase in protection needs. The localities affected being in areas with strong conservative cultures limited the level of participation of the female gender. Efforts were made to have a balanced approach that would take care of the cultural practices while enabling access to all affected persons, especially in the areas near major urban centres.