Emergency relief underway after another earthquake in Northern Afghanistan

Another massive earthquake struck northern Afghanistan, bringing more heartbreak and devastation to the country still recovering from powerful earthquakes in September. This newest earthquake, epicentered in the northern provinces of Samangan and Balkh, claimed at least 27 lives and left hundreds more without shelter, just as cold rain and winter temperatures set in.

Across the region, families are now contending with heavy rainfall, damaged homes, the loss of their personal items, and the biting chill of an early winter. In Khulm district, where the earthquake hit hardest, many are staying with relatives or sleeping outdoors as aftershocks continue and freezing winter conditions close in.

All Hands & Hearts’ in-country team immediately mobilized to distribute tents and blankets to help families endure the freezing winter conditions in the hard-to-reach town of Kholm, on the outskirts of Mazar-i-Sharif.

As the first organization to provide aid in the area, we distributed essential shelter supplies to 105 families, including a large tent for up to 13 people and two large blankets per family, providing crucial support for the cold winter months ahead.