In brief
On August 31, a 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan, killing at least 2,200 people and impacting around 500,000 individuals. The UN has reported problems reaching the majority of the remote villages due to inadequate infrastructure and severe aftershocks. Initial assessments revealed thousands of homes destroyed, while survivors face severe shortages of clean water and shelter as winter approaches. The UN is calling for urgent assistance and will issue an emergency funding appeal.
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The recent earthquake in Afghanistan has had a devastating impact, with initial UN assessments confirming 5,230 homes destroyed and 672 others damaged across 49 villages. However, access to the vast majority of these remote areas remains extremely limited due to rugged terrain and damaged roads following its magnitude 6.0 earthquake on August 31, which killed at least 2,200 people. The UN reports that over 500,000 individuals have been affected, with more than half being children.Shannon O’Hara, the UN coordination chief for Afghanistan's humanitarian office, highlighted the complexity of the situation, stating that it took her over six hours to reach the hardest-hit area from Jalalabad, which is about 100 kilometers away. Even before they could arrive, families were already fleeing the disaster zone, many carrying their injured loved ones.The devastation becomes increasingly apparent closer to the epicenter, where entire villages are flattened, and many survivors are left homeless, often staying in makeshift tents or even sleeping outdoors with no shelter from the elements. O’Hara noted that the lack of clean drinking water and sanitation is a growing concern, with cholera endemic in the region. With the onset of winter nearing, the UN is pressing for urgent intervention to prevent further casualties as snow may cut off access to mountainous refuges.Overwhelming needs include the provision of clean water, food, warm clothing, and adequate sanitation facilities, as humanitarian teams struggle to reach the isolated communities. An emergency appeal for assistance will be launched by the UN to garner necessary funding for quake survivors, who are at serious risk if aid does not reach them soon.
