Red Cross spokespeople available in Afghanistan as people of Herat reel from multiple earthquakes

For further information: press@redcross.org.uk 
Contact number: 020 7877 7557
Spokespeople available: Interviews available on request

This morning, the third earthquake in a matter of days struck the Herat region of Afghanistan where, already, more than 2,000 people have died and many more have been injured or lost their homes.

Rachel Fox, British Red Cross Senior Disaster Management Coordinator for Asia, said: “Afghanistan is reeling from the aftermath of a series of earthquakes in quick succession which have claimed more than 2,000 lives and left many more injured or homeless”.

“It’s a terrifying situation for the survivors as each tremor brings the fear of yet more loss of life and destruction. And that is on top of the existing perilous situation in a country gripped by drought, economic decline and conflict”.

“Red Cross teams are doing their utmost to help those affected by these earthquakes by providing vital aid such as blankets, emergency shelter and medical support and helping family members reconnect with their missing relatives.”

Our spokespeople in Kabul: 

• Alexander Matheou, Regional Director for Asia Pacific, International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
• Rejesh Srivastava, Head of Asia Region, British Red Cross

For interview requests, email press@redcross.org.uk or call 020 7877 7557.

Note to editors 

British Red Cross  

For over 150 years, the British Red Cross has helped people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global voluntary network, responding to conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies. We enable vulnerable people in the UK and abroad to prepare for and withstand emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help them recover and move on with their lives.