UNICEF: 96,000 Earthquake-Affected Children in Herat Remain at Risk

On October 6, of last year, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake shook Zinda Jan district and other parts of Herat, followed by aftershocks. According to the UN, around 1,500 people were killed and over 2,600 injured in these earthquakes. Most of the victims were children and women.

UNICEF has emphasized in its report that the situation of earthquake victims in western Afghanistan remains dire and has stressed the need for more support for affected children and families.

The agency said that over the past year, it has prioritized the restoration of damaged water supply systems, the reconstruction of classrooms, and the provision of uninterrupted health and nutrition services for children and women.

According to UNICEF, more than one million people, including 400,000 children under the age of five, have accessed health care through the agency's supported teams, facilities, and equipment. UNICEF has also restored access to safe drinking water for 21,600 people and installed sanitation facilities for 25,000 people.

UNICEF has warned that children in areas like Herat, which have faced drought and earthquakes, cannot grow properly without access to essential services and clean water.

The agency added in its report: "Children cannot thrive without reliable essential services, especially climate-resilient water systems. In areas like Herat, which have been severely affected by drought and are still recovering from earthquakes, we must ensure that communities have access to safe drinking water."