A devastating earthquake shook the districts of Gayan, Barmala, Naka, and Ziruk in Paktika Province, as well as Spira district in Khost Province in Afghanistan.
UNICEF doesn’t yet know the full extent of the devastation, but the organization believes hundreds of people have been killed, including many women and children. Many more have been injured and many homes damaged or destroyed. These numbers are expected to grow as reports continue to come in.
A devastating earthquake shook multiple districts in Paktika and Khost provinces in #Afghanistan. Reports of hundreds of lives lost and injured, many homes damaged.
Heartbreaking images are coming from the region. pic.twitter.com/m7sdDT5xoi— UNICEF Afghanistan (@UNICEFAfg) June 22, 2022
UNICEF sends heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes those injured a quick recovery. The de facto authorities have requested the support of UNICEF and other UN agency teams who are joining efforts to assess the situation and respond to the needs of the affected communities.
UNICEF has dispatched several mobile health and nutrition teams to provide first aid to those who are injured. UNICEF is also distributing critical aid, including kitchen equipment, hygiene supplies including soap, detergent, towels, sanitary pads and water buckets, warm clothes, shoes, and blankets, as well as tents and tarpaulins. UNICEF stands in solidarity with the children and families affected during this difficult time.
