Gender update #1: Earthquake in Paktika and Khost

On 22 June, at 01:30am, an earthquake of magnitude 5.9 has struck the southeastern provinces of Paktika and Khost (Central Region of Afghanistan), killing at least 770 people and injuring another 1,500. 1,500 homes have reportedly been destroyed and damaged in Gayan2 (Paktika Province).

According to OCHA and humanitarian teams delivering the response in the two provinces, immediate needs identified on the ground on 22 June include emergency trauma care, emergency shelter and non-food items, food assistance and WASH.

Considering the many restrictions women and girls are already facing in Afghanistan, and the difficulties faced by humanitarian actors in reaching them, joint needs assessments carried out over the coming days by humanitarian actors in the Paktika and Khost provinces should consider the following issues to ensure humanitarian aid reaches women and girls and vulnerable groups victims of the earthquake.