By Lisa Balestrieri | Development Officer
On June 22nd, southeastern Afghanistan was hit by a devastating earthquake, killing over a thousand people, and damaging or destroying 70% of homes across the province of Paktika. Those that were still standing were left at risk of collapse, leaving families homeless and without safe shelter. HALO had three teams working nearby, which included a doctor and paramedics that were able to respond immediately, providing food and medical assistance.
The next day on June 23rd a convey left HALO's Kabul compound including two excavators normally used for mine clearance, to the affected province to open roads and transport additional relief supplies, including food, to over 300 homeless families.
Once the immediate relief to communities was provided it became clear that urgent rubble clearance of homes was needed for families to survive the upcoming winter. Without the rubble clearance, rebuilding homes is impossible. And in the winter months temperatures are below freezing.
HALO returned to Paktika in October and by utilizing demining excavators, teams cleared rubble from 403 collapsed houses, helping over 6,500 men, women, and children. This prepared the ground for families to rebuild their homes or construct temporary shelters needed to get through the winter months ahead.
One of these people was Aziz. He told us how he and his family of 15 had lived in tents for the past three months, after losing their home and belongings to the earthquake. HALO teams used our excavators, to clear rubble from in and around his home- something Aziz told us he would not have been able to afford.
Now that HALO has cleared the rubble, they can start to rebuild their home. Without the help of HALO, Aziz and his family would likely have been homeless this winter.
"We were living under tents in the past three months. Now The HALO Trust has cleared rubble from our house...we will start to build at least one living room for us.” - Aziz
In addition, HALO cleared five access routes, connecting Gayan to other districts, facilitating humanitarian access and allowing communities to access schools and markets.
We are incredibly grateful to the GlobalGiving Foundation and all of our supporters. Without you, this would not have been possible. Thank you!
By Lisa Balestrieri | Development Officer
By Lisa Balestrieri | Development Officer
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