Aseel Earthquake Relief Efforts in Paktika

22 and 23rd June 2022 - Gayan, Paktika

As news spread about the earthquake in eastern Afghanistan, Aseel immediately prepared and delivered 80 packages to the Gayan district in Paktika. In addition, Aseel organized a Grand Challenge to attract donors and encourage the global community to organize campaigns to help earthquake victims. Aseel staff voluntarily delivered emergency relief packages directly to the earthquake site, conducted surveys, and provided real-time updates. The team from Kabul consisted of Ihsan Hasaand, Aseel Emergency Response Lead; Anwar Mirzayee, Photographer and Videographer; Zikria Tory, Aseel Volunteer; and Abdul Waris, Driver. Three more Aseel volunteers joined the team in Urgon, Paktika, and two young, energetic, and enthusiastic individuals from Gayan. These two volunteers are still on the ground in Gayan, providing real-time updates.

The Aseel team departed for Paktika early morning on June 23rd, 2022. It was a long drive; the group finally reached the Gayan district at 4:00 p.m. Upon arrival, the team surveyed the area and interviewed locals, including victims. Throughout the evening, they surveyed more than 200 families. Even earlier on Friday morning, the Aseel team went back to conducting surveys and interviews, providing treatment with the help of a medical group that joined in relief efforts. In all, Aseel members surveyed about 400 families in need of support.

Initially, Aseel could not conduct independent emergency distribution. The team spoke with officials and local representatives, encouraging them to allow it. Aseel’s team satisfied the requirements and began delivering food packages to help those in need. Emergency packages include these staples: rice, beans, daal, flour, sugar, cooking oil, and tea. Other organizations delivered tents, blankets, kitchen utensils, clothes, and shoes to the Gayan district but lacked proper distribution. Aseel’s team stepped in to bridge the gap. They negotiated with elders on behalf of other organizations explaining the need for immediate action. Aseel was assigned three villages to provide emergency relief in Sthar Gayan (large Gayan): Mazak, Musaif, and Cheekai. The Aseel team identified and distributed aid to 80 families. This was the first organized bulk distribution; however, there is a massive need to close the gap for the remaining families who still need help.

It is worth mentioning everyone in the Gayan district was affected by the earthquake, not just those injured. An estimated 70% of homes in the area were entirely ruined, and the remaining 30% were partially damaged. Furthermore, the Aseel team did not witness a single room in any home that a family could safely sleep in without fear of the house collapsing. Instead, the team saw three newly built homes ravaged by the earthquake, proving even modern buildings could not withstand the destruction; residents had not settled for 24 hours before their new homes were destroyed. Nearly every family surveyed in the area requested rebuilding assistance and urgent survival supplies. Overall, aid delivery went smoothly, and the team arrived safely back in Kabul on Friday, June 24th remaining in contact with Aseel volunteers in Gayan for real-time updates and preparation for the next round of relief distribution.