Afghanistan: Earthquake - Feb 1996

The DHA/UNOCHA coordinator in Islamabad informed that on 31 January 1996, an earthquake struck three remote villages (Pakhalsoz, Dar-e-zang, and Qala-e-khwaja) southeast of Maimana, Faryab province. These villages had been almost completely destroyed by an earthquake three years ago. On 2 February, staff of the IFRC and the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) went by helicopter to two of the affected villages to make an initial assessment. No casualties were reported, but extensive damage was done to houses, public buildings and mosques. On 3 February, Mazar-e-sharif based staff from UNICEF, WFP, and UNOCHA traveled by road to Maimana, where they were informed by the deputy governor and other officials that access to Gurziwan was not possible due to recent heavy snowfall. They received reports that 500 families had been displaced, 500 houses and 8 mosques were damaged, and 150 houses were completely destroyed. (UN DHA, 12 February 1996)