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International aid pours in for Afghanistan after devastating quake

Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 09 Oct 2023, 01:49 pm Print

International aid pours in for Afghanistan after devastating quake Afghanistan Earthquake

Photo Courtesy: IOM/Léo Torréton

In the aftermath of a powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake that struck northwest Afghanistan, the international community is rallying to provide critical assistance to the affected region.

More than 2,000 lives have tragically been lost in the disaster, prompting a swift humanitarian response.

The United Nations' humanitarian coordinator has swiftly approved an emergency reserve allocation of $5 million from the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF) to aid in relief efforts, Reuters reports.

Several nations have stepped forward to offer aid to Afghanistan. Pakistan, Iran, and China have pledged their support in the form of essential supplies, including food, blankets, medicines, tents, and financial contributions.

Pakistan's Prime Minister, Anwar ul Haq Kakar, revealed that Kabul had specifically requested medical teams, field hospitals, tents, and blankets. These items are already in the process of being dispatched, with additional relief supplies expected to follow.

Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdullahian expressed his commitment to providing humanitarian aid and showed readiness to cooperate closely with Afghanistan during this challenging time.

The Chinese Red Cross Society has announced a contribution of $200,000 to the Afghan Red Crescent as part of their emergency humanitarian aid efforts,  Chinese news agency Xinhua reported on Monday.

This contribution aims to alleviate the dire consequences of the recent devastating earthquakes in western Afghanistan.

Suhail Shaheen, the head of the political office of the Taliban movement, reported that ten rescue teams are actively working in Afghanistan's Herat province to assist earthquake victims who are in urgent need of medicines, basic necessities, and tents, stated Reuters.

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Center reported multiple earthquakes with a maximum magnitude of 6.4 striking western Afghanistan. Afghan authorities have sadly confirmed that the death toll from these earthquakes has now surpassed 2,400 people.

[With UNI inputs]