UNHCR and Balochistan earthquake

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, October 12,  2021: UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has provided 500 emergency tents and thousands of core relief sets today to Baluchistan’s provincial government for families affected by the earthquake that struck the region on 7 October.

 The emergency supplies were handed over to the Balochistan Provincial Disaster Management Authority to aid families who lost their homes in the earthquake that heavily impacted the Harnai district in Balochistan last week.

 According to the Government of Pakistan, more than two dozen people were killed, hundreds were injured, and hundreds of houses were destroyed in the earthquake.

 “We stand in solidarity with people of Balochistan who have been generously hosting Afghan refugees for over 40 years.  With winter approaching, we hope that these emergency supplies can support Pakistan’s efforts to assist the households affected as they recover from this natural disaster,” said Noriko Yoshida, UNHCR’s Representative.

UNHCR’s work in Balochistan aims to support refugees and the host community, and the agency’s projects continue to support schools, clinics, and livelihoods shared by refugees and the host community.