KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghan national security forces in conjunction with International Security Assistance Force soldiers provided aid to earthquake victims in Sherzad District, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan April 17.
The earthquake, which was reported at 5.5 on the Richter magnitude scale, hit at approximately 4 a.m. Local officials report that 19 people died, 51 were injured and more than 290 families, estimated at 3,000 people, were effected across a total of seven villages. The most damage was reported in Sherzad District.
ISAF's Nangarhar Provincial Reconstruction Team sent a five-ton truck with relief supplies such as blankets, tents, food and water to the village. The team had difficulty reaching the site because of the remote location of the most seriously affected area.
Afghan officials were already on scene and had already begun the evacuation of the injured.
Upon the PRT's arrival, the ISAF troops began to provide medical assistance to some of the victims, while local officials, elders and Afghan national army troops distributed the supplies.
ISAF's support is part of a coordinated Afghan and United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan response to the disaster.
ISAF is prepared to provide additional support if requested by the government of Afghanistan.