One day after being hit by a deadly earthquake, Afghan authorities called for more aid as Pakistan dispatched relief goods to the war-torn country, in addition to the aid it had already sent following the Taliban’s takeover.
According to media reports, rugged terrain and limited resources followed by heavy rains in south-east Afghanistan are causing problems for Afghan rescuers working after the country’s eastern province of Paktika was hit by a powerful earthquake, killing more than 1,000 people.
On the other hand, Pakistan has already sent relief goods to Afghanistan. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directions, dispatched relief goods for earthquake victims. The consignment sent to the neighbouring country comprised of eight trucks carrying medicines, tents, blankets and tarpaulin.
Pakistan’s ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Munir Akram has called on the world community to help Afghanistan after the deadly earthquake. He said that they should rise above political considerations and must come to the aid of Afghans.
Afghanistan’s health system was already not fully operational to provide assistance on such a major scale and communication networks have been hit badly due to damages by the earthquake.
A Taliban spokesperson, talking to foreign media, said that the networks were too weak and that reaching affected areas was difficult. According to Afghan officials, villages have been completely destroyed, especially near the earthquake’s epicentre area.
Media has reported that ruined roads and mobile towers have barred rescuers from getting to the affected areas, adding that the death toll could rise further.
The 6.1 magnitude earthquake had struck two provinces in the east of Afghanistan on Wednesday with its epicentre about 44km from Khost city, killing more than 1,000 people and injuring in excess of 1,500.
