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UNICEF says 96,000 quake-affected children in Afghanistan in dire need of support
One hundred days after earthquakes struck western Afghanistan, the United Nations’ children agency on Monday called for greater support for over 96,000 children affected by the disaster, especially as a crippling winter grips the country.
Over 1,000 people, most of whom were women and children, lost their lives in Afghanistan’s earthquakes in October. In addition, 21,000 homes were destroyed, and countless families lost livelihoods, livestock and crops, UNICEF said in a statement.
Three months on, the impact of Herat’s earthquakes lingers, with many families still living in tents or sleeping in the open despite the biting cold.
To make matters worse, Herat province is now gripped by a harsh winter, threatening lives and slowing efforts to rebuild, the statement said.
“The atmosphere in these villages is thick with suffering even 100 days after the earthquakes in western Afghanistan when families lost absolutely everything. Children are still trying to cope with the loss and trauma. Schools and health centres, which children depend upon, are damaged beyond repair or destroyed completely,” said Fran Equiza, UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan.
“As if this was not enough, winter has taken hold and temperatures hover below freezing. Children and families without homes live in life-threatening conditions at night, with no way to heat their temporary shelters.”
UNICEF said that it has offered assistance to quake victims, but much more is needed as winter’s freezing temperatures exacerbate hardships.
Many families have been unable to rebuild their homes. They urgently need healthcare, clean water and proper sanitation to prevent diseases spreading and halt further suffering.
In addition, families who have lost livelihoods and crops are at risk from hunger and malnutrition, according to UNICEF.
“We are grateful to our donor partners who mobilized resources quickly, enabling UNICEF to respond within days to the urgent needs of children and their families in Herat,” added Equiza.
“But thousands still need our help. UNICEF is concerned about the survival of 96,000 children affected by the earthquakes if we are not able to provide the services they need to recover. We count on continued support to ensure that children not only survive the winter but have a chance to thrive in the months and years to come.”
Khurasan Faryab defeated Istiqlal Kabul 1-0 in the 35th match of Afghanistan Champions League (ACL) in Kabul on Tuesday, while Sorkh Poshan Khafi thrashed Sarsabz Yashlar 4-1 in the 36th match of the tournament on the same day.
Khurasan’s only goal against Istiqlal Kabul was scored by Farid Ahmad – who was declared man of the match.
In the second match of the day, Sorkh Poshan Khafi’s four goals were scored by Habibullah Hotak and Omid Rajabi.
Khurasan’s Habibullah Hotak received the man of the match award.
Wednesday’s matches will see Abu Muslim Farah FC take on Adalat Farah FC at 1 PM, while Maiwand FC will play Jawanan Wahedi FC at 3:30 PM.
The matches are broadcast live on Ariana Television.
The Ministry of National Defense of Afghanistan (MoD) has strongly rejected Pakistan’s claim that the recent attack on Chinese nationals in Pakistan was planned from the territory of Afghanistan.
Late last month five Chinese nationals and one Pakistani were killed in a suicide bombing near Besham, in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defense, Inayatullah Khwarazmi, said that Daesh came from Pakistan to the territory of Afghanistan and its goals were organized from there.
He said that Pakistan should respond to these actions.
Khwarazmi, said that in an area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which is under the security of the Pakistan Army, the killing of Chinese nationals is either the weakness of the security institutions or their cooperation with the attackers.
Khwarazmi says that the Islamic Emirate has assured China that Afghans are not involved in such incidents.
The territorial tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan are on the rise again. In the latest issue, Islamabad has accused Kabul of harboring terrorist networks.
Pakistan’s intelligence service has claimed that the Besham attack was planned in Afghanistan.
Officials from Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) – Afghanistan’s power utility company said Tuesday government institutions owe them a whopping 1.5 billion afghanis.
Addressing a press conference to report on last solar year’s achievements, officials said they received over 37 billion afghanis in payments last year.
In addition, last year, DABS implemented more than 100 projects in the electricity production sector worth 3 billion afghanis.
They also said they have a five-year plan to move away from dependence on imported electricity.
DABS officials said that from the 37 billion afghanis in revenues last year, part of this was paid to neighboring countries for electricity.
These officials also said there have been improvements in the CASA- 1000 project.
The company is still trying to provide the required electricity from domestic sources, officials said.
These officials add that the work of some half-finished projects has started and the power generation capacity has also increased in the country.
The reconstruction of the substation in Chamtal district of Balkh province at a cost of 68 million afghanis, the start of the 500 KV power line from Shabarghan – Dasht Alwan, the start of the 220 KV power line from Arghandi Kabul to Ghazni and the design of Noor ul Jihad substation are some of their other achievements.
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