Singapore (CU)_ In response to the devastation caused by the fatal earthquake in Afghanistan, the Singapore government will donate US$50,000 to the Singapore Red Cross’s public fundraising campaigns. The deadly earthquake has claimed at least 1,000 lives, caused 1,500 injuries, and damaged over 3,000 houses. According to the US official statistics, the number of deaths makes it the most fatal earthquake that Afghanistan has seen in the past two decades.
According to the latest statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), “The Singapore Government will contribute US$50,000 as seed money to support the Singapore Red Cross’ (SRC) public fundraising efforts towards the humanitarian crisis caused by the earthquake in Afghanistan on Jun 22, 2022”. It added, “This will supplement the SRC’s commitment of S$50,000 for urgently needed medical supplies and other basic necessities. Singapore conveys our deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the earthquake.”
The powerful 5.9-magnitude earthquake, Afghanistan’s biggest in years, hit hard the rocky eastern region of Paktika. Apart from collapsing or destroying tens of thousands of houses and other buildings in the eastern region, the earthquake also interrupted the mobile phone towers and electricity lines and caused landslides and mudslides that obstructed mountain highways.
The Singapore Red Cross pledged S$50,000 to assist Afghanistan’s devastated population. The statement said, “The contribution from the Singapore Red Cross will support the immediate needs of those affected, including food, emergency shelter, emergency trauma care, non-food items as well as water, sanitation and hygiene items”.
According to the statement, besides the basic relief items like blankets, tents, tarpaulins, water containers, food, and water, other major assistance such as mobile health teams and ambulances have also been rerouted to the impacted districts. The Singapore Red Cross informed that a public fundraising campaign will be launched soon for the general public to contribute to the relief and recovery activities in Afghanistan. Once the appeal is launched, the Singapore Red Cross website will provide information on how the general public can contribute their part.
