At least 1,411 people have died and more than 3,100 are injured following a powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar province late on Sunday. Rescue efforts are being hampered by aftershocks, flash floods, and treacherous mountain terrain, delaying crucial aid from India, Iran, and the UN.
Devastation and Relief Challenges
The quake, followed by a 5.2–5.5 aftershock on Tuesday, struck shallow and close to densely inhabited rural communities composed of mud-brick homes. As a result, villages were flattened—more than 5,400 houses destroyed—and many residents remain buried under rubble. The death toll is expected to rise.
Mountainous terrain, landslides, and blocked roads have severely restricted access to affected areas. Helicopters cannot reach many remote villages, forcing Taliban authorities to air-drop commando units and send rescue teams on foot over rugged ground. Flash floods and rain have further increased the risk of landslides and slowed relief missions.
Aid Response—Delayed and Limited
International aid has begun to trickle in, but logistical and political obstacles are slowing the flow:
- India delivered 1,000 family tents to Kabul and dispatched 15 tonnes of food to Kunar, pledging more supplies to follow.
- Iran expressed readiness to send medical and other emergency support, though deployment has been sluggish.
- The UN, including UNICEF and other agencies, is coordinating emergency relief—distributing trauma kits, shelter materials, and medical supplies—but ongoing aftershocks and floods are complicating operations.
Additional pledges include £1 million from the UK (via humanitarian partners to avoid the Taliban), and the EU’s €1 million and extensive relief items. However, funding cuts and political hesitation continue to undermine a robust response.
Humanitarian Stakes and Expert Insight
UN officials warn of a “race against time”—injured people are deteriorating, and survivors are exposed to disease, hunger, and exposure. The disrupted water supply and scarce medical support are raising concerns about epidemics.
Save the Children described how responders carried medical equipment on backpacks across long treks to reach isolated villages. Relief camp coordination centers are being set up, but resources are stretched thin.
Why It Matters
This is one of the deadliest earthquakes to hit Afghanistan in recent years—preceded only by quakes in 2023 and 2022. The nation remains in a chronic humanitarian crisis exacerbated by economic collapse, drought, and the marginalization of communities returning from Iran and Pakistan.
The quake’s timing—with political isolation, reduced aid, and fragile infrastructure—magnifies its impact. For global observers and neighboring states, Afghanistan’s crisis is a stark reminder of how natural disasters compound existing vulnerabilities in conflict-affected regions.
FAQs
A: Rugged terrain, blocked roads, aftershocks, and flash floods hindered ground access, while helicopters cannot reach many remote areas.
A: India sent tents and food; Iran pledged emergency support; international donors such as the UN, UK, EU, and UAE have mobilized aid through humanitarian partners.
A: Many villagers remain trapped under rubble, rescue teams face access barriers, and aftershocks and weather conditions continue to hamper relief.
Sources:
Reuters
AP News
The Wall Street Journal
