EU offers €3.5m assistance to Herat quake victims

ATLANTA (Pajhwok): The European Union (EU) has announced a package of €3.5 million humanitarian assistance for the victims of a deadly earthquake in western Herat province.

The bloc said it would provide emergency humanitarian aid of €3.5 million to address the most urgent needs of the affected population.

“A new allocation of €2.5 million will be available for humanitarian partners that are already carrying out relief operations on the ground,” a EU statement said.

This new assistance comes in addition to the €89 million in humanitarian aid already allocated in 2023 for humanitarian organisations in the country.

“Shelter kits, winterised tents, hygiene kits and other supplies are available to our humanitarian partners, depending on their needs on the ground, and ready to be delivered via a new flight of the EU Humanitarian Air Bridge.”

According to the statement, the overall cost of the operation has been estimated at approximately €1 million. So far 31 flights have already been organised through this air bridge.

Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarčič said: “The recent earthquake in Afghanistan comes to add suffering to a population which was already facing a dire humanitarian situation.

“The EU will continue supporting the Afghan people, mobilising the different tools we have at our disposal. This aid package, worth €3.5 million, will bring much needed relief to the victims of this devastating disaster.”

On October 7, a magnitude-6.3 earthquake hit the western province and was followed by three strong aftershocks.

Provincial officials say 2,500 people have been killed and as many wounded by the quake.

aw/mud

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