Death Toll in Afghanistan Earthquake Climbs Above 1,100
The death toll from Afghanistan’s most devastating earthquake in years has risen to more than 1,100, with thousands more injured and entire villages flattened, Reuters reports. The Afghan Red Crescent Society reported at least 1,124 fatalities, 3,251 injuries and the destruction of over 8,000 homes, warning that many victims may still be buried under rubble. UN’s Afghanistan coordinator cautioned that the number of casualties is expected to increase further.
The 6.0-magnitude quake struck just after midnight on Monday, September 1, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, shaking the eastern provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar most severely. The mountainous Hindu Kush region, where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, is prone to deadly tremors.
Rescue Operations Hindered
Emergency teams have begun work in four badly affected villages in Kunar but face major obstacles reaching remote mountain communities near the Pakistani border. Narrow and damaged roads, landslides and poor weather have slowed the delivery of aid. Heavy machinery is being brought in to clear routes, while ambulances and helicopters are transporting the injured to hospitals and delivering relief supplies.
Provincial disaster chief Ehsanullah Ehsan said: «We cannot accurately predict how many bodies might still be trapped under the rubble. Our effort is to complete these operations as soon as possible and to begin distributing aid to the affected families.»
Thousands of children are at risk, UNICEF warned, as families shelter outdoors in fear of aftershocks. The agency is distributing medicine, warm clothing, tents, tarpaulins and hygiene kits. Taliban soldiers have also been deployed to provide assistance and maintain security.
Strain on Fragile Systems
The disaster has further stretched Afghanistan’s limited resources. The World Health Organization said more than 12,000 people have been affected, adding that the country’s fragile health system is overwhelmed and dependent on international assistance. UN officials stressed the need for rapid disposal of animal carcasses to prevent contamination of water supplies.
Aid workers reported an urgent need for food and tents, as many families are left homeless in the open. Safiullah Noorzai of humanitarian platform Aseel said:
«With their houses in ruins, many people are living outside and still fearful of aftershocks.»
Limited International Support
Afghanistan’s ability to respond has been weakened by aid cuts and a sharp drop in foreign assistance. Britain has pledged £1 mln to support UN and Red Cross relief operations, while India has delivered 1,000 tents and 15 tonnes of food to Kunar, with more shipments on the way.
Other countries including China, the United Arab Emirates, the European Union, Pakistan and Iran have promised help, though much of it has yet to arrive.
International donors have scaled back support in recent years, citing global crises and frustration with the Taliban’s restrictions on women and aid organisations. Reductions to USAID and other programmes have left Afghanistan, a country of 42 mln, with far fewer resources to cope with disasters of this scale.
