Kabul, November 13 – The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is calling for emergency help in northern Afghanistan after a 6.3‑magnitude earthquake ripped homes from the ground in Balkh province.
The quake, which struck early on Sunday, killed at least 27 people and injured about a thousand. Nearly 1,000 houses collapsed, leaving hundreds of families without shelter. Khaama Press reports that these survivors are facing the bite of freezing temperatures as winter approaches.
OCHA says disaster relief must move fast. “Victims need urgent support to rebuild homes and secure warmth before the cold sets in,” the agency said. Residents in Balkh and nearby Samangan province have asked for immediate reconstruction to protect against the harsh weather.
Humanitarian groups are already delivering food, blankets and basic shelter materials. Officials warn that any delays could make the crisis worse, stretching relief teams across rough terrain and icy roads. They stress that international donations are vital to keep families safe over the winter.
The United Nations has highlighted a wider emergency: about 90 percent of Afghan families face severe food shortages. The UN Development Programme (UNDP) added that nine in ten families have cut their meals or sold belongings to survive. The influx of roughly 2.3 million refugees returning from Iran and Pakistan has only added pressure.
UNDP’s regional director for Asia and the Pacific, Kanni Wignaraja, noted that restrictions on women in aid and reconstruction work are limiting access to essential services. An UNDP survey of nearly 49,000 Afghan families—over 1,500 of whom are refugees—shows the scale of the problem.
With winter coming fast, the UN urges swift action from the global community. Help is needed now to prevent further loss of life and to keep the most vulnerable families warm and fed.
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