The earthquake killed at least 1,000 people and damaged about 10,000 homes
KABUL – Afghanistan has appealed for international support as the country deals with the aftermath of a devastating 6.1 magnitude earthquake and aftershocks.
The earthquake killed at least 1,000 people and destroyed or damaged about 10,000 homes. Around 3,000 houses in Bermal and Giyan districts of Paktika were completely destroyed, while hundreds more were damaged during the earthquake, according to local authorities.
In a statement, a senior Taliban official Abdul Qahar Balkhi said, the government sadly is under sanctions so it is financially unable to assist people to the extent that is needed.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has stressed the need to engage the interim Taliban government in Afghanistan, despite difficulties.
UN Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative and officer-in-charge of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, Ramiz Alakbarov while speaking at the Security Council emphasized that it is the only way forward for the sake of the Afghan people as well as for regional and international security.
International aid continues to come into Afghanistan to help people affected by the recent devastating earthquake in the southeast provinces of the country.
A Pakistani C-130 loaded with relief aid arrived in Khost province to provide assistance to the vulnerable.
One aircraft from Uzbekistan and another from Turkmenistan loaded with humanitarian aid arrived in Kabul on Saturday.
“Today, we have brought a part of the humanitarian aid. Today in this aircraft (are) 20 tons flour, 11 tons of oil, medicines and clothes and shoes,” said Ismatilla R. Igrashev, the special representative of the Uzbekistan President for Afghanistan.
“Today an aircraft of humanitarian aid of Turkmenistan arrived in Kabul for the people of Afghanistan. It is approximately 20 tons. The aid includes clothes and food materials,” said the Turkmenistan ambassador to Afghanistan.
The UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss announced a total of £2.5 million in assistance to provide life-saving supplies to the vulnerable.
According to a statement from the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, a total of £2 million will go to the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) to provide shelter, medication, water, sanitation, and other basic needs.
Another £500,000 will go to the Norwegian Refugee Council to provide shelter and cash assistance to the people affected by the earthquake said the statement.
“The recent earthquake is a tragedy for the people of Afghanistan. The scale of need was already severe before the earthquake struck, with more than half of the population requiring humanitarian assistance,” Liz Truss said.
The Afghanistan Red Cross also said it will provide aid to at least 1,000 families in Paktika and Khost provinces.
“We provide emergency supplies to the people who are in need,” said Ilyas, an official of the Red Cross in Afghanistan. “We need any type of aid. We are facing a lot of challenges,” said Dawlat Khan, a resident of Paktika.