Afghanistan has been struck by another earthquake, with a magnitude of 5.0 recorded recently. This latest seismic event is part of a series of quakes that have shaken the region. The tremors have caused widespread fear among the populace. Fortunately, initial reports suggest that there have been no major injuries or extensive property damage.
This recent earthquake follows a devastating 6.0 magnitude temblor on August 31st that decimated villages in the mountainous areas, leading to the discovery of hundreds more fatalities and pushing the death toll beyond 2,200. The quake caused homes to crumble, trapping residents under debris. Kunar province has suffered the most casualties, where the local communities reside in simple structures along river valleys.
The Islamic Relief charity indicated in an assessment that around 98% of buildings in Kunar province were either severely damaged or completely destroyed. Aid organizations have been appealing for more personnel and resources to provide support for the survivors in the impacted regions. One resident, Muhammad Israel, shared that landslides triggered by the earthquake destroyed his home and livestock in Kunar. He recounted the difficulty of rescuing his children and mentioned the persistent aftershocks, rendering the area uninhabitable.
A 5.6 magnitude earthquake also struck Jalalabad in Nangarhar province the preceding evening, however, there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. Israelis who are currently staying at a UN medical camp in Nurghal, one of the most heavily affected areas of Kunar, have described the conditions as very difficult, with a shortage of shelter, forcing them to live in the open. The death toll was initially reported to be approximately 1,400 individuals. A Taliban spokesperson confirmed the death toll had risen to 2,205 and search and rescue operations are ongoing. Tents have been erected and basic medical supplies are being distributed. The terrain is proving a significant challenge for aid workers, and helicopters have been deployed to provide assistance.
Relief teams have described the arduous journey of reaching isolated villages, often requiring hours of travel on foot due to landslides and rockslides. Aid efforts are also being hampered by a lack of funding. The Norwegian Refugee Council is operating with significantly reduced staff compared to the previous major earthquake in 2023 and has depleted emergency stocks. The council is waiting on funds to purchase more supplies, and the process is expected to take weeks. They are operating with very limited funds. The doctor who is providing medical care in the UN camp in Nurghal has stated that the survivors are in need of medicine, tents, food and clean water.
The Qatari Minister of State for International Cooperation, Mariam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, traveled to Kabul to oversee the distribution of aid to earthquake victims. This marks her as the first female minister on a humanitarian mission to Afghanistan since the Taliban’s resurgence in 2021, and the first high-ranking foreign official to visit the region after the earthquake. Aid organizations have highlighted that this new disaster is exacerbating an existing crisis. Afghanistan is already struggling due to drought, economic challenges and the return of a huge number of refugees from neighboring countries.