Afghanistan has faced a series of earthquakes that have intensified the nation’s existing humanitarian crisis. The tremors, which occurred in October 2023, struck the western provinces of Herat, Badghis, and Farah, affecting over 150,000 people and resulting in more than 1,000 deaths, as estimated by the United Nations. The devastation included the destruction or severe damage of tens of thousands of homes.

According to World Economic Forum, In response to this tragedy, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has emphasized its ongoing appeal for 120 million Swiss francs to support humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan. A team from the IFRC was deployed to assess the needs in the earthquake-affected areas.

Alexander Matheou, the IFRC’s Regional Director for Asia Pacific, shared insights from his visit to the impacted communities. He reported that entire villages along the fault line were destroyed, leaving no structures standing. The earthquakes struck at a time when mostly women and children were at home, resulting in them being disproportionately affected in terms of casualties.

Addressing long-term solutions to the crisis, Matheou emphasized that each crisis in Afghanistan requires distinct investments and responses. Immediate humanitarian assistance is crucial for survival in the earthquake-affected communities. Funding from both governments and the private sector is vital in these situations.

However, Matheou pointed out that chronic issues such as poverty, unemployment, and destitution cannot be resolved through humanitarian aid alone. Sustainable economic recovery at the household level is necessary for long-term stability. He highlighted the need for international investment that focuses on long-term solutions to chronic vulnerability, particularly in terms of household economic regeneration.

Matheou stressed the importance of sustaining interest in crises, even when they are not in the headlines, and called for a humanitarian and developmental approach that puts the people of Afghanistan first. This approach is not only a moral obligation but also a strategy for mitigating risks and preventing future crises.