By Save the Children | Save the Children
Thank you for supporting Save the Children's Children's Emergency Fund! Here is an update on our work:
THE SITUATION
Herat Province, Afghanistan has been devastated by four earthquakes in recent weeks, killing thousands of people and filling hospitals with thousands more injured. A handful of villages have been completely destroyed in the deadliest natural disaster to hit the country in decades. Schools, health clinics and other facilities have collapsed and left thousands of vulnerable children and families without basic services.
This is a crisis on top of a crisis. The devastating earthquakes come as Afghan children are already facing a critical humanitarian emergency. Children and families are now in a race against time to avoid the secondary impacts of the earthquakes, such as disease outbreaks, worsening hunger and rising poverty. Many children’s education has also been disrupted further by this latest disaster, with at least 21 schools reported to have been destroyed or damaged.
We’re responding to the growing needs of vulnerable communities hit by this disaster. In the worst-impacted areas, we’re one of the lead organizations responding to the damage as well as working with local partners to provide immediate support to children and families.
OUR RESPONSE
Save the Children has launched a joint response with local and international partners on the ground to help meet families’ growing needs, including:
CASH ASSISTANCE - We will provide 1,000 families with emergency cash assistance. This cash assistance will help families buy life-saving items like food, clean water and materials to rebuild their homes and cover medical bills.
CHILD PROTECTION - We’re providing psychological support to children, caregivers and humanitarian workers. We will establish six Child Friendly Spaces to provide children and adolescents a safe place to play, learn and heal. We will also distribute home-based Psychosocial Support Kits, reaching an estimated 6,000 individuals, and provide training on Psychosocial First Aid (PFA).
As our response evolves, we will continue to assess community needs and work with local organizations to reach the most-impacted areas. We’re currently conducting assessments to determine education needs and learn how we can support local partners.
Winter is approaching and, as temperatures drop, we will ensure that children and families receive life-saving support. Support to families could include distributing home winterization supplies, blankets, warm clothing and other essential supplies.
THE CHILDREN’S EMERGENCY FUND
In any crisis, we know that children are always the most at risk. The Children’s Emergency Fund enables us to respond to crises around the world, whether from conflict, climate change or natural disasters. Flexible funding allows us to deliver relief to communities impacted by disasters in the very first hours, when children’s lives hang in the balance. Your support helps communities around the world recover from disasters like this one.
*All names have been changed for privacy and protection.
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