Earthquake survivors face aid crunch as death toll rises
KABUL, AFGHANISTAN — The death toll from the devastating 6.0-magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan on Sunday has risen to more than 2,200, According to media reports Taliban authorities said. Rescue efforts are ongoing, but the number of fatalities is expected to climb as emergency teams struggle to reach remote, mountainous villages where many people are still feared to be trapped under rubble.
The shallow tremor, which hit on the night of August 31, was followed by a 5.2-magnitude aftershock on Tuesday and another 4.8-magnitude quake on Thursday, complicating rescue operations and causing widespread panic. The majority of casualties are in the Kunar province, where the traditional mud-brick and wood houses were unable to withstand the powerful jolts. Officials from the charity Islamic Relief report that approximately 98% of buildings in Kunar were damaged or destroyed.
The earthquake has left nearly 4,000 people injured and displaced thousands, with over 6,700 homes destroyed. The difficult terrain, including landslides and rockfalls, has severely hindered access to the worst-affected areas. Aid workers have reported having to walk for hours to deliver essential supplies and provide medical care.
International aid agencies are appealing for more funding and resources, warning that the humanitarian needs are “vast and growing rapidly.” The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has said that thousands have been directly affected across four provinces. While some countries, including India, have sent humanitarian assistance, a significant shortfall in aid remains, compounded by the limited capacity of the Taliban government. ATP