Afghanistan: The need after the earthquake

 

In the early morning hours of June 22, 2022, the province of Paktika in the east of Afghanistan was shaken by a severe earthquake (starch 6.1). The destruction is enormous. Over 1,150 deaths and more than 1,500 injuries were reported. Thousands of houses are destroyed. The numbers are expected to increase, because many remote villages have so far not been able to reach: the streets are bad and now also blocked by rubble. Heavy rains make the aid measures difficult. The survivors dig with their hands to look for missing family members and objects.

The villages in the Baramal and Gayan districts, where the Terre des Hommes partner organization AWEC (Afghan Women's Educational Center) promotes education and training for women and girls, have also been severely affected. Many people have lost their lives here as well. The area is poor and remote, with mountainous and rugged terrain. In many places, where the mud and stone houses once stood, there are now only piles of rubble.

AWEC tries to also reach the remote villages

The AWEC employees try to reach the most remote villages, explore the situation there, to determine and help. It is already clear: food, makeshift accommodations, medication and clothing are urgently needed. Because people have their entire household items under the ruins.

 

Terre des Hommes has provided AWEC with €50,000 to provide 300 families in Baramal and Gayan with essentials for at least 20 days: They will receive packages containing rice, pulses, cooking oil, salt and spices or ready-to-eat dry food, as well as drinking water and containers for storing the water.

Medicine, baby food, clothing and hygiene kits with soap and women's bandages are also distributed to the needy, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers receive dietary supplements. Since almost all houses have collapsed in many villages, planning, blankets and bed sheets are also distributed so that the families can build a make -up accommodation. Anyone who gets the help is decided by the AWEC employees on site together with the parishioners. An estimated 900 children will benefit from this.