Three high-magnitude earthquakes have struck Afghanistan in
less than a week, leaving upwards of
2,200 people dead and more than 3,640 people injured. These numbers could possibly grow, as it's impossible to say for certain how many people might have been buried under the debris and destruction.
Tens of thousands of residents have been displaced or left homeless. The series of quakes demolished at least 6,700 homes, while the risk of landslides threatens countless more.
That's why the United Nations is pleading with member states to unite and coordinate to deliver $140 million in aid for the victims of these earthquakes. Sign the petition to urge member states to come together to support survivors!According to the country director for the World Food Programme in Afghanistan, John Aylieff: "What we're seeing on the ground is utter devastation, a real catastrophe. We have houses razed to the ground."
Aylieff has shared that the World Food Programme does not have enough supplies to sufficiently help survivors through this disaster, with food that will only last several weeks. Even worse, their teams are struggling to access villages that are more isolated or in mountainous regions.
This series of earthquakes was
particularly deadly, and the UN has classified the resulting tragedy as
one of the worst humanitarian crises on the globe today. As Indrika
Ratwatte, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan, said: "This is a moment where the international community must dig deep and show solidarity with a population that has already endured so much suffering."
Sign the petition to urge international solidarity to help the victims of Afghanistan's deadly earthquakes! 