HIGHLIGHTS
- Earthquake affects 134,000 people; USAID partners lead response
- Humanitarian need increases significantly due to conflict and natural disaster
- IDPs exceed 1 million
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck Afghanistan on October 26, resulting in 117 deaths, more than 500 injuries, and more than 20,000 damaged or destroyed homes. According to the UN, the earthquake affected nearly 134,000 people in 15 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces. As of November 23, approximately 131,000 people had received some form of humanitarian assistance in a response led by USAID/OFDA partners. However, nearly 200 affected villages remain inaccessible due to physical and security-related access constraints.
Following an early October Afghan/U.S. military operation to regain control of Kunduz city, Kunduz Province, the Government of Afghanistan (GoA) and the UN Resident Coordinator led a joint needs assessment and security stabilization process during the week of October 23. Reports from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) estimate that approximately 96 percent of the 13,000 previously displaced families from Kunduz have returned.