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Afghanistan

Situation report: Afghanistan earthquakes

SITUATION: Two earthquakes hit eastern Afghanistan today, killing at least 22 people and destroying some 200 homes, government officials said. The quakes struck Nangarhar province, about 50 miles southeast of the capital, Kabul, not far from the border with Pakistan.

Affected were four villages in the Sherzad district of Nangarhar, Church World Service Afghanistan/Pakistan reported.

RESPONSE: CWS partners in the area are conducting a needs assessment, according to CWS P/A staff.

CWS has had a health program in the area for 10 years, and "we will try our best to assist the affected people and respond to the situation as much as possible," CWS P/A staff said, noting the region has been affected by drought, rising food prices and the return of refugees living in Pakistan.

"This earthquake brings more challenges and deterioration to the province," CWS P/A said today.

For further information about disasters to which Church World Service is responding please visit www.churchworldservice.org or call the CWS Hotline, (800) 297-1516.

CWS Emergency Response Program special contacts: (212) 870-3151