UN Mobilises Extensive Aid Efforts After Deadly Earthquake In Afghanistan

A powerful earthquake measuring six on the Richter scale hit eastern Afghanistan overnight, resulting in at least 800 fatalities and destroying entire villages. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his commitment to aid those affected, stating, "I stand in full solidarity with the people of Afghanistan after the devastating earthquake that hit the country earlier today." He extended condolences to victims' families and wished a swift recovery for the injured.

Several UN agencies have reported widespread destruction across four provinces, including Nangarhar and Kunar. These areas are already receiving support from staff and humanitarian partners. Many homes collapsed in remote hillside communities, often falling onto others situated on terraces below. This has compounded the devastation.

The UN Humanitarian Air Service is increasing flights between Kabul and Jalalabad to transport personnel and supplies for relief operations. The World Health Organization (WHO) teams are active in hospitals, providing essential medicines and assessing urgent health needs. WHO stated, "We are actively delivering essential medicines and supplies and deploying health teams to affected areas to help save lives."

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) highlighted the impact of the earthquake occurring late at night when families were asleep. Salam Al-Jabani from UNICEF explained, "When an earthquake of this magnitude happens, the homes basically tumble on top of each other." This timing contributed significantly to the high casualty numbers.

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) reported that over 2,000 individuals might have been injured in Kunar province alone. Babar Baloch from UNHCR warned that Jalalabad could face a "very high death toll." He stressed that local authorities cannot handle this disaster's scale alone and urged global donors for immediate support.

Reaching some isolated communities poses significant challenges due to difficult terrain. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted that some areas can only be accessed by foot, requiring up to three hours of travel from obstruction points. Notable locations include Dewagal Valley in Chawkay district and Mazar Valley in Nurgal district within Kunar province.

Efforts continue as aid teams strive to overcome these obstacles to deliver much-needed assistance. The international community's support is crucial as Afghans face this dire situation, with many lives depending on timely intervention.

With inputs from WAM