Finnish Red Cross helps those affected by earthquakes in Afghanistan – earthquakes affect over 1.4 million lives

The Finnish Red Cross is allocating an additional €350,000 from its Disaster Relief Fund to the International Red Cross aid operation to support the relief efforts by the Afghan Red Crescent Society in the areas affected by earthquakes. In September, the Finnish Red Cross granted €650,000 in financial support for the aid work.

A series of powerful earthquakes struck the southeastern parts of Afghanistan in late August, and now the most recent earthquake shook the north of the country on 3 November. It is estimated that the earthquakes have affected the lives of more than 1.4 million people.

“The most recent earthquake in Balkh and Samangan provinces further exacerbates the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. The earthquake not only destroyed homes but also damaged infrastructure, including several health care facilities. Even prior to this disaster, girls and women in particular have had poor access to health care and other basic services,” says Marko Korhonen, Head of International Emergency Operations Unit at the Finnish Red Cross.

Afghan Red Crescent volunteers and staff have been helping those injured and displaced by the earthquakes in ways such as providing first aid, distributing aid supplies and supporting the authorities in rescue efforts.

In addition to providing immediate emergency aid, the International Red Cross aid operation supports the ability of people living in both affected areas to recover from the disaster. The operation aims to help 170,000 people affected by the earthquakes by providing shelter, health care, clean water and sanitation, as well as support for rebuilding homes and helping farmers to restore their livelihoods.

“The need for humanitarian aid is immense and will remain so for a long time to come, given that the country is suffering from frequent disasters and economic difficulties. Migration and decreasing international aid will further increase human suffering and the need for aid,” Korhonen says.

The Finnish Red Cross has long assisted the efforts by the Afghan Red Crescent Society to strengthen its disaster preparedness and other efforts with the support of the Disaster Relief Fund and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.