Photo taken on Jan. 18, 2022 shows damaged mud houses after an earthquake in Qadis district of Afghanistan's western province of Badghis. (Photo by Mashal/Xinhua)
Initial reports indicate that 26 people have been killed and four others injured in the earthquake which hit Qadis District of Badghis Province in Afghanistan.
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is leading an inter-agency assessment team deployed to Qadis District of Badghis Province in Afghanistan following the 5.3-magnitude earthquake that struck the area on Monday.
Initial reports indicate that 26 people have been killed, four others injured. Hundreds of houses were damaged or destroyed. Heavy rains before the earthquake made mud-brick houses more vulnerable to damage, said OCHA on Tuesday.
People whose homes have been damaged or destroyed are sheltering with relatives and other members of their communities. Preliminary reports indicate that food, shelter, and non-food items, and heating materials are most urgently needed.
In addition to the OCHA-led assessment team, aid agencies are providing initial emergency support in the form of hot meals, and distributing water purification tablets, hygiene kits, and water kits. ■