Rescue operations are currently underway in eastern Afghanistan following a magnitude 6.0 earthquake that struck near the border with Pakistan on Sunday. The earthquake has resulted in the deaths of approximately 800 individuals, with 1,800 others reported injured. Many residents remain trapped under the rubble of their homes, prompting rescuers to utilize helicopters for search efforts amid challenges posed by blocked roads and difficult mountainous terrain.
The Taliban government has sought international assistance in response to the disaster. The United Nations has released emergency funds to aid recovery efforts, and the United Kingdom has pledged £1 million (about $1.3 million) in aid. This earthquake is noted as one of the most severe to affect Afghanistan in recent years. The country’s geological location makes it susceptible to seismic activity due to its position atop various fault lines where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet.
In 2023, Afghanistan experienced a series of 6.3-magnitude earthquakes that resulted in over 1,400 fatalities in the western region near Herat. Hospitals, such as one in Jalalabad, are reportedly overwhelmed with patients, exacerbated by existing healthcare pressures even before the earthquake event.
Eyewitness accounts detail the tragic circumstances faced by survivors. One victim, Mir Zaman, spoke about the loss of his children and his efforts to recover them from the rubble. A two-and-a-half-year-old child named Maiwand is among those injured, prompting urgent calls for medical treatment.
The timing of this natural disaster aligns with ongoing crises in Afghanistan, including severe drought and what the UN describes as an unprecedented hunger crisis. Humanitarian aid has been significantly reduced, especially from the United States, complicating recovery efforts.
International responses include aid coordinated through experienced organizations such as the UN Population Fund and the International Red Cross. India has also provided immediate support, delivering 1,000 tents and assistance with food distribution. Further aid commitments have been made by China and Switzerland, highlighting the urgent need for housing, shelter, and blankets for survivors, as noted by Amy Martin from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpqvqeg3nz5o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss