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Your donations saved earthquake-struck Afghanistan last winter.

Your donations saved earthquake-struck Afghanistan last winter.

As temperatures plummeted in late 2023, the people of Herat Province in Afghanistan faced not only the bitter cold but also the devastating aftermath of a series of earthquakes. Over 1,974 people directly benefited from Muslim Aid’s winterisation activities, receiving essential support to endure the harsh conditions.

The first earthquake, measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale, struck on 7 October, followed by eight aftershocks. Thousands were displaced, with homes reduced to rubble and lives turned upside down. For many, the arrival of winter intensified their suffering. Muslim Aid stepped in to provide urgent relief, focusing on those most vulnerable to the challenges of the freezing months.

Winter in Afghanistan is unforgiving, especially for families without shelter. The earthquakes destroyed more than 600 homes across Zinda Jan and Injil districts, leaving over 4,200 people exposed to freezing temperatures.

For these families, the cold brought new dangers. Food supplies were scarce, clean water was difficult to access, and diseases threatened to spread in cramped and unsanitary conditions. Without immediate intervention, the winter months risked becoming an even greater tragedy for those already suffering.

Your donations saved lives

Thanks to your donations, we launched a targeted winterisation programme to help families survive the cold. Our efforts were designed to address both immediate and long-term needs, focusing on the essentials:

1. Emergency Shelter

Many families were left to endure freezing nights in the open air. Muslim Aid provided temporary shelters, blankets, and warm clothing to offer them immediate protection from the elements.

2. Food Support

Winter worsened the challenge of accessing food. Families who had lost their supplies in the earthquakes were provided with food kits designed to last throughout the season.

3. Winter Essentials

With many households losing basic items in the earthquakes, Muslim Aid distributed cooking utensils and other necessary supplies to help families regain stability and comfort.

4. Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene

Damaged wells and sanitation systems left communities at risk of disease. Muslim Aid restored access to clean water and improved hygiene facilities, crucial for preventing illness during winter.

It wasn’t an easy task

Delivering aid in winter came with its own difficulties. Damaged infrastructure and snow-covered roads made reaching remote villages a challenge. The scale of need meant that careful coordination with local authorities and community leaders was essential to ensure aid reached those most in need.

Despite these challenges, we prioritised vulnerable groups, including women-headed households, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Our winter relief efforts brought critical support to 1,974 people, helping them to stay warm, nourished, and safe.

Winter is more than just a test of survival—it is a time when the resilience of communities and the generosity of supporters shine brightest. Through this winterisation programme, Muslim Aid brought hope and warmth to families facing one of the toughest seasons of their lives.

The challenges remain, but the strength of Afghanistan’s people, coupled with the compassion of our supporters, ensures that even in the coldest months, humanity can make a difference. Together, we’ve shown that no matter how harsh the winter, solidarity can light the way forward.

We are a faith-based British international charity that provides help to people who are victims of natural disasters or conflict or suffering from poverty, hunger, disease, homelessness, injustice, deprivation or lack of skills and economic opportunities.

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