AFGHANISTAN: After a deadly 6.3 magnitude earthquake in the Afghanistan’s northwest claimed the lives of more than 2,000 people, the United Nations and a number of other nations are preparing relief for the country.
The Herat province experienced a 6.3-magnitude earthquake, leaving over 500 people missing. Villagers are searching for over 500 with shovels and bare hands, and aid arrived slowly due to traffic jams and broken communication lines. There are concerns about more fatalities.
Images from devastated communities show houses crushed to rubble, revealing their frailty in resisting an earthquake. Locals found nothing left, and they started digging to rescue women and children. Estimating the death toll and missing people was difficult for the Taliban administration and aid organizations due to the lack of population statistics for these remote settlements.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that “100% of homes are estimated to have been completely destroyed” in Zindajan, a rural area some 40 kilometres (25 miles) outside of Herat city.
The UN humanitarian coordinator has greenlit a $5 million emergency disbursement from the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF). It stated that its OCHA will begin and finish processing the allocation in 24 hours, with qualified partners being able to use their awards as of October 9.
China, Pakistan, and Iran have promised to donate money, food, tents, blankets, and medical supplies.
Kabul had specifically requested medical teams, field hospitals, tents and blankets, according to Pakistan’s Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar, who also claimed that all of the required items were being sent on Monday afternoon, with additional relief supplies to follow.
According to a statement, Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdullahian pledged humanitarian aid and indicated his willingness to work with Afghanistan.
China’s Red Cross Society has offered $200,000 in emergency cash aid. Pakistan is collaborating with Afghan authorities to support the recovery efforts following an earthquake in the Hindu Kush mountain region, which resulted in over 1,000 deaths and thousands of homeless people in the province of Paktika in June last year.
Also Read: Devastating Earthquakes in Western Afghanistan Claim over 2,000 Lives
