After a 6.1 magnitude earthquake rocked a rural, hilly region and destroyed stone and mud-brick dwellings, at least 1,000 people were killed and more than 1,500 were injured.
A quake survivor in eastern Afghanistan has recounted the loss of 26 members of his family as rescuers resort to hand-dug excavations in villages elevated off the ground.
It follows uncertainty about an official request for assistance. The Taliban government claims it has requested international assistance, but the United States has not received an official request.
The European Union was fast to offer aid, donating €1 million in humanitarian money, and issued a warning that “an estimated 270 thousand residents of the impacted districts may require immediate support.”
On Twitter, Narendra Modi, the prime minister of India, expressed his sorrow and offered humanitarian relief. Other nations, such as Pakistan, South Korea, and Japan, have also shown their support.
Since seizing power in the summer of last year, the country’s hardline Islamist government has been shut off from a significant amount of international aid, which poses a significant challenge for its rescue operations. There have already been inadequate responses to aid appeals despite the drought and economic catastrophe.
At least 1,000 people were killed and more than 1,500 were injured after a 6.1 magnitude earthquake rocked a rural, hilly region on Wednesday, destroying stone and mud-brick dwellings.
The majority of casualties occurred in the province of Paktika, where the district of Gayan, located near the epicenter of the magnitude 6.1 earthquake, had extensive building damage.
As rescue crews and locals resumed the hunt for survivors by hand-digging through the wreckage on Thursday, the chairman of the information and culture department in Paktika, Mohammad Amin Huzaifa, stated: “People are digging grave after grave.”
One patient at the Paktika Provincial Hospital stated that he had lost dozens of family members, including his children.
“I was at home when the earthquake struck at 1.30 a.m. local time. Everything collapsed on us, and I had no idea what was occurring at the time,” said Gulak.
“I have lost 26 members of my family, including cousins and close relatives, as well as my children.”
Amir Gul stated that seven of his family members were killed and another six were injured.
“It was a really powerful earthquake… all the homes have been completely demolished. The province of Paktika is large, yet it lacks food, tents, and other facilities.
“The populace is now beneath an open sky. We need assistance… many individuals are harmed,” he continued.
The calamity occurs amid an economic and humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power in August 2021 and the withdrawal of Western forces led by the United States.
Its economy, which was already frail and heavily reliant on foreign aid, has been hammered by Western sanctions on its banking sector and aid cuts.
