Afghanistan: Herat Earthquakes Multi-Sectorial Rapid Assessment Form - MSRAF, Issued November 2023

OVERVIEW

In early October, Herat Province experienced three powerful earthquakes, each with a magnitude of 6.3. These earthquakes had impacted 2.2 million people, with intense shaking (MMI 6+). Following the earthquakes, families are living in the open, in makeshift shelters or informal settlement sites, making them vulnerable to weather, health issues, and other protection hazards.

The earthquakes have hit vulnerable communities, already struggling due to decades of conflict and underdevelopment, leaving them with limited resilience to handle multiple concurrent shocks. Moreover, the earthquakes occurred during Afghanistan's lean season, just before winter, when households' food resources were most limited. Extensive damage to water and sanitation facilities has raised concerns about disease outbreaks, particularly acute watery diarrhoea (AWD). Immediate investment in activities to detect and prevent the spread of AWD and other infectious diseases is crucial. Furthermore, with the damage to schools and community-based education facilities, children must resume their education safely. Protection support is also essential, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.