Dear John,

I’m writing to provide you with an update on the earthquake that hit Afghanistan’s Paktika and Khost provinces a few weeks ago. Sadly nearly 770 people have been confirmed killed, with numbers expected to rise. Families have lost their entire homes and possessions in this tragedy—many have also lost loved ones.

My team in Afghanistan has already dispatched humanitarian assistance to support the survivors of the devastating earthquake.

As we were already on the ground with supplies in the surrounding regions, we were able to deploy this humanitarian aid quickly. However, this is only the latest in a series of devastating events to affect the people of Afghanistan, and we urgently need your ongoing support to deliver more assistance.

I will provide you with more updates as we deliver this aid and speak with more people who have been affected by this devastating earthquake.

Warm regards,

Leonard Zulu

UNHCR Representative in Afghanistan