A powerful earthquake shook northern Afghanistan early this morning, leaving thousands homeless and many hundreds feared dead. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) quickly responded by mobilizing its staff in Afghanistan to get emergency supplies to affected families in Baghlan province, about 100 miles north of Kabul.
UNICEF's rapid response within the last 12 hours included an assessment of the affected area, with staff deployed from Kabul in the south and Mazar-e-Sharif in the north. Four hundred family kits, including sweaters, mattresses, cooking sets and food, were immediately dispatched from UNICEF's supply center in Mazar and additional supplies are to follow.
Within the next 24 hours, UNICEF will deploy 25,000 collapsible Jerry Cans, 710,000 water purification tablets, 2,500 baby packages (clothing, cream and hygiene materials), 220,000 oral rehydration salts and 3,400 winterized tents. Further support will be provided in the areas of health, immunization, education, and water and sanitation once a full assessment has been undertaken.
UNICEF estimates that 45% of Afghans are under the age of 18, with half that number under the age of five. Urgent needs will therefore include:
* Children's clothing and household kits
* Shelter materials
* Basic health care
* Safe water and sanitation
UNICEF has been working in Afghanistan since 1949 and in times of emergencies is able to activate its vast network to get to those in urgent need of assistance. Most recently, UNICEF lead the Back-to-School campaign in Afghanistan, ensuring that some 1.5 million children had a seat in a classroom with a pen and notebook, ready to learn on their first day of school, March 23rd.
The U.S. Fund for UNICEF is accepting contributions for Afghanistan earthquake relief. To make a donation, please call 1-800-FOR-KIDS or visit unicefusa.org