SINGAPORE – The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) has pledged US$50,000 (S$68,400) in humanitarian aid to support those affected by the earthquakes that hit Afghanistan over the weekend.

It will also launch a public fundraising appeal for relief and recovery operations in the mountainous country in the coming week, SRC said on Monday.

The earthquakes hit the western part of Afghanistan on Saturday morning, with the Taliban administration estimating the following day that around 2,445 people died as a result.

More than 1,300 houses were damaged or destroyed, and the number of casualties is expected to rise further as search and rescue operations are ongoing.

SRC said: “This humanitarian emergency has come at a time when the country has suffered significant damage from a deep economic and humanitarian crisis.”

It added that challenging terrain and recent conflicts have hampered efforts to reach areas in need of assistance, where infrastructure is really poor.

At the moment, the Red Cross Movement’s partners are working with the Afghan Red Crescent Society to provide immediate assistance to affected communities.

This includes evacuation, providing first aid treatment, setting up temporary shelters, as well as distributing basic relief items to those displaced.

Emergency response units have also been deployed to assist with relief efforts, including water sanitation and healthcare.

Mr Benjamin William, secretary general and chief executive of SRC, said: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives and injury, as well as damage to homes, property and livelihoods, arising from this devastating earthquake.

The SRC has launched a public fundraising appeal for the ongoing humanitarian efforts.

Members of the public can donate via the following methods:

Online donation via credit card: redcross.sg/donate-afghanistanearthquake

Fundraise or Donate via cheque/PayNow: redcross.sg/afghanistanearthquakeresponse