WFP rushes emergency food assistance to earthquake-hit eastern Afghanistan, assisting 18,200 people as first response

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has delivered emergency food assistance to 18,200 people affected by the devastating earthquake that struck Paktika and Khost on 22 June. The 5.9 magnitude quake killed around 800 people, injured 1,500 others, and destroyed hundreds of homes.

WFP has provided High Energy Biscuits and rations of wheat flour, salt, vegetable oil, and pulses. Distributions across both provinces are ongoing, while needs assessment teams are gathering information in earthquake-hit areas to uncover the full extent of the damage and determine priority humanitarian needs.

‘’This is an emergency on top of an emergency. 19 million people are already facing acute hunger across the country, and severe drought and crippling economic crisis are pushing people to the brink. And now thousands have lost their homes after the powerful earthquake and desperately need food assistance and shelter. We are appealing to the international community not to forget the people of Afghanistan,’’ said Gordon Craig, Deputy Country Representative for WFP Afghanistan,