Earthquake in Afghanistan

March 27, 2002

On the night of March 25, a strong earthquake hit Nahrin in Afghanistan's Baghlan Province, causing a number of casualties. Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi delivered, on March 26, a message praying for the repose of the souls of the dead and expressing her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved. The ministry has received information that the traffic in this area is devastated and it is feared that conducting relief activities will be difficult.
In light of this situation, the Government of Japan today decided to extend emergency grant aid of 400,000 dollars (approx. 50 million yen) to the Afghanistan Interim Administration. It is also seeking the possibility to provide emergency goods. It will dispatch officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) from Tokyo to the quake-hit area to coordinate relief activities and assess what assistance is needed there. They will work in cooperation with NGOs present in the area.
A survey team of the Afghanistan Interim Administration is also working on the assessment of the damage in Nahrin. Japan is ready to extend further assistance in accordance with needs as they become clearer in the near future.

(END)