A massive 6.0 earthquake shakes rural area of Afghanistan caused at least 800 casualties and over 2,500 injuries World Vision is on the ground responding to the needs of children and families impacte

The magnitude 6.0 quake was at the shallow depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), with its epicentre located 27 km south of Asadabad city in Kunar Province. Tremors were felt across Kabul, Islamabad, and New Delhi. Some villages in Chawki and Noorgul Districts have been completely or partially destroyed. According to the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA), preliminary reports suggest at least 800 fatalities and 2,500 injuries, though figures may rise as access improves. We estimated 270,000 individuals are likely to be exposed to related needs in forthcoming weeks and months.

Earthquakes in Afghanistan are especially deadly due to the fragile nature of housing and infrastructure. Most homes are built from mud and timber, making them highly vulnerable to collapse and trap people under the rubble. In addition, despite the blocked mains road in earlier landslide were cleared, some access routes were blocked again due to the massive earthquake, further hindering the rescue operations. The authorities have deployed aircraft to support the rescue operation and evacuate critical patients.

World Vision has been working for over 20 years in Afghanistan and urges the international community to respond swiftly and generously to this unfolding tragedy.  We are on the ground conducting assessment with local partners to deliver aid. We will closely monitor the needs of affected villagers and provide various support.

“We lived through the 2023 Herat Earthquake, and the effects are still being felt today. We know the impact of this quake will be long-lasting and extremely painful. Children are among the most at risk and will pay the highest price,” Thamindri De Silva, National Director, World Vision Afghanistan said.

Afghanistan is already facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, half of the population, i.e. 22.9 million people require humanitarian assistance in 2025[1]，and 3.5 million children are acutely malnourished[2]. The earthquake is further deteriorating the situation. The fragile community are in more urgent need of assistance.

World Vision calls on members of the public in Hong Kong to support the affected children and families, in order to cater the following urgent need:

·       Lifesaving medical support

·       Emergency shelter

·       Emergent food assistance

·       Emergency water, sanitation and hygiene support (WASH)

·       Non-food items such as blankets, hygiene kits

·       Protection support for unaccompanied minors

We also ask for your support in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake, rebuild the communities, and provide urgent physical and psychological support for survived and their families.

Donations can be made via:
(For details, please browse:
https://www.worldvision.org.hk/en/our-work/emergency-relief/afghanistan-eq-relief)

1. Hong Kong
   Please prepare a crossed cheque payable to “World Vision Hong Kong” together with your personal details and mail it to us at World Vision Hong Kong, Freepost No. 69. Please mark "Afghanistan Earthquake Relief" on the envelope.
   Macau
   Please prepare a crossed cheque payable to “World Vision of Macau Association” together with your personal details and mail it to us at World Vision of Macau Association, P.O. Box 530, Macau. Please mark " Afghanistan Earthquake Relief" on the envelope.
   
   
2. Bank Account (Hong Kong):
   Bank of China: 012-363-1-017493-6
   You may also use online bank transfer or scan the Faster Payment System (FPS) QR code (image below) with any supporting mobile banking app to donate. If you need a donation receipt, please mail us the bank-in slip or send the screen capture of the confirmation page (recipient: World Vision Hong Kong) to [email protected], together with your name, phone number and postal address.
   
   Bank Account (Macau):
   Tai Fung Bank: 201-1-07025-2 (MOP)
   Tai Fung Bank: 101-1-09229-8 (HKD)
   
   You may also use online bank transfer or scan QR code (image below) with any supporting mobile banking app to donate. If you need a donation receipt, please mail us the bank-in slip or send the screen capture of the confirmation page (recipient: World Vision Macau 澳門宣明會) to [email protected], together with your name, phone number and postal address.

Remarks: Unused donations from this appeal will be allocated for other World Vision relief work.

3.  Donation via 7-Eleven
   Applicable for Hong Kong only

4. PPS by Internet
  Enter www.ppshk.com for payment. Our Merchant code is 34 -> Enter your partner ID -> Select the programme you want to make a donation to ("4-Emergency Relief")

For any enquiries about donations, please contact us at 2394 2394.