Title: Urgent UNDP Appeal for $25M in Aid to Support Earthquake-Devastated Herat Province
In the aftermath of a series of powerful earthquakes that shook Herat Province in Afghanistan between October 7 and 15, 2023, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) has launched a crucial appeal for $25 million to assist in the recovery efforts. These earthquakes, measuring 6.3 in magnitude, have wreaked havoc on the region, affecting a staggering 1.6 million people, resulting in over 1,500 fatalities, 11,000 injuries, and extensive damage to more than 21,000 homes and infrastructure.
The dire circumstances faced by communities already struggling with poverty have left a daunting challenge for the survivors, particularly women and children who are now living in tents, exposed to the harsh cold weather without access to adequate food, clean water, healthcare, and proper shelter.
The UNDP’s appeal is an integral part of a comprehensive recovery plan as part of the wider Herat Earthquake Response Plan formulated by the UN Humanitarian Country Team. The response plan requires a total of $93.6 million to provide assistance to 114,000 individuals who are in urgent need, especially during the approaching winter season. While UNDP, in collaboration with UN partners and NGOs, has already allocated $3.15 million from its own resources for immediate relief and recovery, the scale of the disaster necessitates additional funding to meet the overwhelming demands for reconstruction and rehabilitation.
Stephen Rodriques, the UNDP Resident Representative in Afghanistan, stressed the urgency of the situation, stating that winter is rapidly approaching, exacerbating the suffering of the affected population. The primary aim is to help these communities restore basic infrastructure, with a particular focus on shelter, and expedite their return to normalcy. Despite reallocating some existing resources to initiate immediate action, the available resources are insufficient to address the magnitude of the crisis.
To establish a robust recovery plan and fulfill the basic needs of the affected people, UNDP’s appeal for an additional $25 million will provide essential support. The comprehensive plan encompasses various aspects, including the provision of transitional and permanent shelters, the rebuilding of critical infrastructure, the implementation of renewable energy solutions for households, schools, and health facilities, the restoration and management of water systems and resources, as well as the creation of both short-term (cash-for-work) and long-term employment opportunities. The overarching objective is not only to rebuild the affected areas but also to empower women and generate employment for those who have lost their sources of income due to the disaster. The situation is now critical and calls for immediate action as winter looms ahead.
UNDP is actively undertaking several measures to support the earthquake-affected communities. These initiatives include the design and construction of transitional shelters that can withstand future earthquakes, creating income opportunities through debris removal programs, empowering women in the rebuilding process by focusing on their housing needs, distribution of solar cookers to mitigate indoor air pollution, support for women-led community kitchens to provide thousands of hot meals daily, and the reconstruction of essential infrastructure such as schools, clinics, irrigation systems, and water resources crucial for the well-being and survival of the affected communities. Additionally, an ongoing Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) is being conducted to evaluate the damages and guide a resilient recovery and reconstruction response plan.
Highlighting the urgent need for assistance, Stephen Rodriques stated that amidst various ongoing global crises, Afghanistan often finds itself on the sidelines of international attention. He emphasized the need for the international community to not overlook Afghanistan and the dire needs of its people, especially those in Herat who have endured such devastating hardships.
These earthquakes in Herat not only exposed the immediate requirement for aid but also shed light on the longstanding challenges faced by Afghanistan as a result of decades of conflict, high poverty rates, and an ongoing humanitarian crisis.
In conclusion, the UNDP’s urgent appeal for $25 million to aid the devastated Herat Province after the earthquakes is critical in addressing the immediate needs of the affected population as they strive to rebuild their lives and communities. The international community must come together to support Afghanistan and ensure that assistance reaches those who desperately need it during this challenging time.
