Afghanistan earthquake disaster - your help is needed across the region

Martin McCann
28 October 2015

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Martin McCann, chief executive of engineering disaster relief charity RedR UK, comments on the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan after this week’s massive earthquake

RedR first began operating in Pakistan over a decade ago, in response to the devastating earthquake of October 2005.

Today, the people of Pakistan are once again suffering the effects of natural disaster: on Monday 26th October, just after 2pm local time, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck the north-east of Afghanistan. Its impact was felt in neighbouring Pakistan, and in India. 

"With your support, we can scale up this innovative project and ensure that vulnerable communities have the skills they need to reduce risk and save lives."

One of the worst-affected regions is Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, or KPK, a remote province in north-western Pakistan. KPK is vulnerable to both natural and man-made crises. Earthquakes and flooding are a constant threat. Due to its proximity to the Afghan border, its residents also suffer the consequences of conflict. 

RedR has been working in this disaster-prone province for the past two years. Our Safer Schools project helps teachers, school children and community volunteers to prepare for and respond to emergencies, providing them with skills in safe evacuation when structures fail, first aid and fire safety - skills that can save lives in disasters such as this one.

In 2014 alone, RedR’s Safer Schools training reached over 1,000 teachers, school children and community members. 

"If you would like to donate to the Safer Schools project, please click here and indicate 'South Asia Earthquake'."

As you read this, RedR’s Pakistan team is travelling from Islamabad to the affected areas in KPK. They will assess the impact of the earthquake on the communities where RedR has already intervened, but also gauge the needs of other communities. 

In response to the earthquake, we hope to be able to extend the Safer Schools project to other vulnerable areas. Continuing the work we’ve begun, and making going to school a safe option for children, is something dear to my heart.

If you would like to donate to the Safer Schools project, please click here and indicate 'South Asia Earthquake'. 

With your support, we can scale up this innovative project and ensure that vulnerable communities have the skills they need to reduce risk, and to save lives. 

Thank you for your support.

Martin McCann is the chief executive of RedR UK.