Deadly, Destructive Quake Hits Pakistan, Afghanistan

Six months after the devastating earthquake in Nepal, another powerful quake has hit the region. Hundreds already are confirmed dead in Pakistan and Afghanistan as a result of the 7.5 magnitude earthquake mid-afternoon Oct. 26, including a dozen Afghan girls killed in a stampede as they rushed to get out of their school.

Hundreds of buildings are reported to have collapsed across the region. Many mountain communities have been cut off. The toll of death and damage is expected to increase as mobile phone service is restored and landslide-blocked roads are cleared. 

The epicenter was in a remote area of northeast Afghanistan 160 miles from the capital city of Kabul.  Afghanistan has declared an emergency and has requested international support.  

In Pakistan, Community World Service Asia – a United Church of Christ partner through the ACT Alliance – is working with both governmental and non-governmental entities to identify needs on the ground.  With UCC support, the ACT Alliance’s Rapid Response Fund has just released to that agency nearly $60,000 for one-month food packages for 300 earthquake affected families in Shangla District. Furthermore, through the deployment of a Mobile Health Unit and its own Mobile Laboratory, Community World Service Asia is providing much needed emergency health services to those affected by the earthquake. 

UCC Disaster Ministries encourages your generous support for earthquake recovery work in Nepal and – as needs are identified – in Pakistan and Afghanistan.  Contributions may be made through the UCC’s International Emergency Relief Fund.