Afghanistan: Herat Earthquake Response Situation Report No. 2 - As of 2 November 2023

This report is produced by OCHA Afghanistan in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It covers the period from 24 to 31 October 2023.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Initial multi-sectoral rapid assessments (MSRAF) indicate that more than 48,000 households have been affected by the recent earthquakes in Herat Province, including approximately 10,000 homes which have been completely destroyed and 20,430 severely damaged.

• The initial PiN for the emergency response plan was set at 114,000. However, the inter-sectoral PiN will see as many as 157,000 people reached, funding permitting. This is because clusters within the response plan will be targeting distinct groups, thereby expanding the reach and impact of the assistance provided.

• In response to the earthquakes, humanitarian actors are delivering immediate response packages to address the urgent needs of the affected population. These packages include essential items such as tents, tarpaulins, blankets, food, and nutrition assistance. In addition, they are supplying vital resources such as water trucking and WASH supplies to ensure safe living conditions. Emergency healthcare services are also being deployed to address the medical needs of the affected people, while protection measures are being implemented to safeguard especially vulnerable populations.

• MSRAF analysis has been concluded, however the finalization of the report is still in progress. Meanwhile, an ongoing comprehensive household assessment is underway. The household-level assessment will enable partners to obtain more granular information on affected families, thereby facilitating prioritization and targeting of the most vulnerable families earthquake-affected families.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Communities in Herat Province are reeling from a series of shallow, strong (6M+) earthquakes and aftershocks which have rocked the same area in Western Afghanistan since 7 October 2023. These seismic events had a profound impact on the region, with an estimated 1.6 million people experiencing high intensity shaking (MMI 6+).
More than 175,000 people in nine districts have been directly affected by these recent seismic events, with Injil and Zinjadan districts suffering the most severe consequences. Injil witnessed the destruction and damage of over 15,000 homes. Furthermore, these earthquakes have also caused substantial damage to schools, water systems, healthcare facilities, and other critical civilian infrastructure. Thousands of families have been left exposed to the elements – either living in the open, makeshift shelters, or informal settlement sites – making them highly susceptible to adverse weather conditions, health risks, and other protection hazards.

The damage to water and sanitation facilities has raised concerns about the potential outbreak of diseases, particularly acute watery diarrhoea (AWD). Response teams are closely monitoring the affected villages to detect and prevent the spread of AWD and other infectious diseases.

Additionally, the destruction of schools and community-based education facilities has disrupted children's education, making it crucial to provide them with safe spaces to resume their learning. Protection support, especially for vulnerable groups such as women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, are paramount in ensuring the well-being and safety of the affected population.

UN agencies and partners have distributed substantial aid to affected villages. Over 12,000 households have received more than 900 metric tons of mixed food commodities and 11 tons of High Energy Biscuits (HEB) and Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (LNS). The Emergency Shelter/Non-Food Items (ES/NFIs) cluster has provided affected families with over 6,000 emergency shelter tents, 8,000 Non-Food Items (NFIs), 9,000 Blanket Kits, and 5,000 sets of winter clothing. To date, approximately 40,000 individuals have received comprehensive WASH packages: water reservoirs, water trucking, hygiene kits, hygiene promotion, handwashing stations and emergency latrines. Health partners have delivered various health and nutrition services, such as trauma dressings, women's vaccinations, child vaccinations, and nutrition support. The education cluster has provided temporary tents so students can resume classes. Over US $22,000 has been distributed in multi-purpose cash to more than 10,000 affected households.