Rescue operations in Afghanistan have uncovered a devastating toll following recent earthquakes, with the confirmed death count surpassing 2,200. The Taliban administration has reported that at least 3,640 individuals are injured, as survivors grapple with a dire future amidst dwindling global aid resources.
The first earthquake, measuring 6.0 in magnitude, struck on Sunday in the eastern provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar, causing widespread destruction at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. A subsequent tremor of 5.5 magnitude on Tuesday further complicated rescue efforts, triggering landslides and obstructing access to remote villages. Reports indicate that more than 6,700 homes have been destroyed, leaving many families without shelter.
Survivors like Aalem Jan, whose house in Kunar was reduced to rubble, expressed their despair: “Everything we had has been destroyed. The only remaining things are these clothes on our backs.” Many families are currently living under trees, surrounded by their few remaining belongings.
Humanitarian Needs Escalate
The humanitarian situation is rapidly deteriorating, with the United Nations warning that the death toll could rise as rescue efforts continue. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has stated that humanitarian needs are “vast and growing rapidly,” with up to 84,000 people affected, and thousands displaced. In some of the hardest-hit villages in Kunar, assessments reveal that two out of three residents have either died or been injured, while 98 percent of buildings were either destroyed or damaged.
Desperate efforts to locate missing family members have led survivors to sift through rubble, carry bodies on makeshift stretchers, and dig graves with rudimentary tools. Videos depict the movement of trucks delivering essential supplies, including sacks of flour, to isolated communities. Additionally, authorities have deployed commando units via airdrop to reach areas where helicopters cannot land.
Afghanistan is particularly vulnerable to seismic activity, especially in the Hindu Kush mountain range, where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates converge. The majority of homes in the affected areas are constructed from dry masonry, stone, and timber, which offer little protection against quakes. Many families have opted to remain outdoors due to aftershocks and unstable ground conditions caused by recent heavy rainfall.
Funding Gaps and Aid Challenges
Compounding the crisis, the humanitarian response in Afghanistan faces significant resource limitations. The country, home to approximately 42 million people, has been battered by years of conflict, poverty, and diminishing aid. Recent funding cuts to foreign aid, coupled with donor frustration over the Taliban’s policies towards women and aid workers, have exacerbated Afghanistan’s isolation.
The World Health Organisation has identified a funding gap of $3 million (approximately A$4.6 million) as critical to maintaining the supply of medicines, trauma kits, and essential goods amidst rising demand. The UN World Food Programme has indicated it can only support survivors for an additional four weeks, according to its country director, John Aylieff.
Jacopo Caridi of the Norwegian Refugee Council has called on donors to extend their support beyond immediate relief efforts. “The earthquake should serve as a stark reminder: Afghanistan cannot be left to face one crisis after another alone,” he remarked, emphasizing the need for a sustainable future for the Afghan people.
As recovery efforts continue, the situation remains urgent, with both humanitarian organizations and local authorities racing against time to provide assistance to those affected by this disaster.
