I’m writing to you from Khost Province in Afghanistan where a devastating earthquake hit the region earlier this week. Sadly nearly 1,000 people have been confirmed killed, with numbers expected to rise. Families have also lost their homes and possessions in this tragedy.

My team in Afghanistan has already dispatched humanitarian assistance to support the survivors of the devastating earthquake.

The first convoy that departed Kabul will immediately support more than 4,000 people with shelter kits, tents, blankets, water cans and other relief items to protect them from the bad weather and meet their immediate life-saving needs.

As we were already on the ground with supplies in the surrounding regions, we were able to deploy humanitarian aid quickly.

This is the latest in a series of devastating events to affect the people of Afghanistan, and we urgently need your support to deliver more assistance.