In Pakistan, in the northern districts of Chitral and Shangla, Islamic Relief has this month launched a two-month intense project to distribute winter items to around 1,500 earthquake-affected people. In Afghanstan, a one-month project in remote areas of Badakhshan, Takhar, Jalalabad and Kunar is expected to reach 1,400 people.

The earthquake, which measured 7.7 on the Richter scale, took the lives of around 800 people across Pakistan and Afghanistan, and destroyed thousands of homes. The earthquake occurred shortly before the onset of winter, meaning now, as temperatures in Badakhshan plunge below -7C (19F), those who have lost their homes are struggling to survive.

In Pakistan, Islamic Relief is already responding to the earthquake, providing immediate relief through distribution of tents, kitchen sets, sheets, and mats. The new winter project means each family will be provided with plastic floor mats, a cotton mattress, polyester pillows and pillow covers, polyester quilts, a children’s blanket and jumpers, adult-sized shawls, a stove and chimney, solar lamp, socks and hat.

The items will be bought from a local market, further supporting the local economy.

In Afghanistan, Islamic Relief will be working in remote areas of Badakhshan, Takhar, Jalalabad and Kunar, in the eastern and north-eastern part of the country. Experts there will be providing food, shelter, non-food items such as hygiene kits, and heating materials such as charcoal and firewood. We are already distributing food, blankets and plastic sheets to some 4,000 people.