On Saturday, a powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck northwest of the city of Herat, resulting in a tragic loss of over 2,000 lives, with the death toll still rising. Of those who died, the majority are women and girls — as they were home while men worked.

Survivors are bravely sifting through the rubble, facing a dire situation marked by a severe lack of medical care, water, food, shelter, and humanitarian aid in a nation already ravaged by conflict. Out of the 12,100 people affected by the earthquake, approximately 3,000 are women of reproductive age, along with 1,410 adolescent girls, and 183 pregnant women.

UNFPA, the United Nations agency for sexual and reproductive health, is on the ground now, working tirelessly to ensure that essential health care services are integrated into emergency responses.

Will you make a humanitarian gift today to deliver crucial care to women and girls who have been gravely impacted by this tragic earthquake? In disaster situations like these, every second counts, and we need to scale up our response.

We will keep you updated on our ongoing efforts in providing emergency health care and how you can remain engaged during this devastating period. Our heartfelt sympathies are with the people of Afghanistan, and thanks to your generous support, we are prepared to provide assistance wherever it is most urgently needed.

Your humanitarian gift today will enable us to ensure that no women and girls are left behind.

— USA for UNFPA