On Saturday 7 October between 11am and 12pm local time a series of earthquakes hit western Afghanistan, 40km northwest of Herat city.

The initial earthquake reached 6.8 magnitude with reports suggesting 1,023 people have been killed, 1,663 people injured and over 11,5000 families severely affected.

The Afghan Red Crescent Society has teams on the ground helping with rescue efforts and providing aid to people across the Herat province.

The earthquake hit at a time when people in Afghanistan are already struggling to survive. The country is facing a third year of drought-like conditions and second year of crippling economic decline. Afghanistan is in crisis. Millions of people are suffering from the legacy of decades of conflict, severe food shortages and hunger - compounded by years of extreme drought.

40 years of conflict and recurrent natural disasters have left at least 28.8 million people (two thirds of the population) in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. It’s the second deadly earthquake to strike Afghanistan in two years. In June 2022, the provinces of Paktika and Khost were hit by a 5.9 magnitude quake that killed more than 1,000 people and left tens of thousands homeless.

We are committed to supporting the people of Afghanistan and have been working on the ground for 30 years. We will not stop now. In a spirit of neutrality, independence and impartiality, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement works with all communities and in all regions to help reach and assist those most vulnerable.

Please donate, and right now if you can. Your gift could mean food, basic medical supplies and medicines, shelter and water.

The Afghanistan Crisis Appeal will support people in areas currently affected and those potentially affected in the future by the crisis. In the unlikely event that we raise more money than can be reasonably and efficiently spent, any surplus funds will be used to help us prepare for and respond to other humanitarian disasters anywhere in the world. For more information visit https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/disaster-fund