§ Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to provide aid to Afghanistan following the earthquake in that country on 25 March. [49270]
§ Clare ShortThe earthquake which struck northern Afghanistan on 25 March is estimated to have killed around 800 people and left 20,000 families in need of food and shelter assistance.
My Department deployed a team from its Kabul office to assess the situation and established a co-ordination centre in the affected area on behalf of OCHA.
While most of the acute needs of the affected population have been met, the focus of the response is now shifting towards reconstruction. UN agencies have delivered relief items from existing stockpiles including tents, blankets, mattresses, plastic sheeting, clothing, shoes, kitchen sets, jerrycans, hygiene kits, and soap.
Since September last year, DFID has provided £60 million in response to the Afghan crisis, through UN agencies, the Red Cross movement and non-governmental organisations.