Afghanistan has been hit by another significant earthquake, the latest in a series of seismic events. This new tremor measured 5.0 on the Richter scale and has intensified the sense of anxiety among the residents. There are no reports of serious casualties or extensive damage at this time.
This follows the devastating earthquake of August 31st that destroyed several villages, leading to the discovery of hundreds of bodies. The death toll has now surpassed 2,200. The 6.0 magnitude earthquake caused widespread destruction, with many homes collapsing and people trapped. Kunar province has been hit the hardest, with many communities living in simple, vulnerable structures.
An assessment by Islamic Relief revealed that nearly all buildings in the province were affected. Aid organizations urgently need more staff and supplies to help the survivors. One resident, Muhammad Israel, said the quake triggered landslides, destroying his home and belongings. He described the difficulty of getting his children to safety and the continued aftershocks that make it impossible to stay in the area.
Further, a 5.6 magnitude earthquake was recorded in Jalalabad the previous evening, though no immediate casualties or damages were reported. One resident, who is staying in a UN camp, described difficult conditions. The initial estimated death toll was around 1,400, but it has since been confirmed to be much higher. Taliban officials have confirmed the death toll has reached 2,205 and search and rescue missions are ongoing. Basic supplies are being distributed, and officials are struggling to access remote areas. Helicopters have been dispatched, and aid workers are trying to reach those in need.
Aid workers are having to walk for many hours to reach some of the villages that are isolated due to landslides. There has also been a shortage of funds which has hampered efforts. The Norwegian Refugee Council is working with fewer staff than previously and has depleted its emergency supplies. They are waiting for funds to purchase more supplies, which will take time. A doctor working in the UN camp has said that the people are in dire need of medicine, tents, food, and clean water. The Qatari Minister of State for International Cooperation, Mariam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, has arrived in Kabul to help coordinate aid efforts, the first female minister on such a mission since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, and the first high-ranking foreign official to visit after the earthquake. Aid organizations are highlighting the ongoing crisis as a disaster within an existing crisis. Afghanistan faces immense challenges due to drought, economic problems, and the recent return of refugees from neighboring countries.