United Nations launched the World Food Programme in Afghanistan after the frequent quakes hit the country causing mass destruction there. Amid the aftermath of the earthquake, the people of Afghanistan have been struggling with starvation. Meanwhile, the director of the World Food Programme voiced for emergency assistance to more than ten thousand people affected by frequent earthquakes and aftershocks that severely hit the western region of Afghanistan. On Wednesday, October 18, 2023, the director of the World Food Programme requested funds of around $19 million to provide emergency assistance to the people. You should go through this article till the end to learn more details about the World Food Programme.
The deputy country director of the World Food Programme Ana Maria Salhuana said they were assisting the earthquake-affected people but they urgently needed more funding because they are taking care of tens of thousands of people and they are taking food from an already underfunded programme. In western Afghanistan, the World Food Programme is helping more than 100,000 people. The deputy country director of the World Food Programme said “Disasters like these earthquakes pound communities who are already barely able to feed themselves back into utter destitution,”
On Sunday, the western region of Afghanistan was hit by a severe earthquake of 6.3 magnitude that flattened many villages and buildings killing people. The destructive earthquake made innumerable homeless in that region. Reportedly, the western Afghanistan was hit by back-to-back earthquakes. It was the fourth earthquake, according to the US Geological Survey which measured it as of 6.3 magnitude. The first earthquake that hit Afghanistan was detected on October 7, and flattened villages in Herat city which was the most affected part of the country. Continue reading this article for more details.
The World Food Programme said the workers of the programme responded to the quake-hit regions quickly to distribute fortified biscuits and other food items in Herat City where some people lost their homes and some lost their family members. The WFP said, “An estimated 25,000 buildings have been destroyed. The survivors are currently sleeping in tents next to the rubble of their homes, desperate and afraid of further earthquakes and aftershocks.” According to the US Geological Survey, the most recent quake was detected about 30 km (19 miles) outside the city of Herat, the capital of Herat province. The epicentre of the quake was 6 kilometres (4 miles) below the surface. Stay tuned.