Authorities in Afghanistan Plead for Assistance After Deadliest Earthquake in 20 Years

Posted: June 24, 2022 10:53 am

Paula Bronstein/Getty Images News via Getty Images

Authorities in Afghanistan are still working to pull out potential survivors from the rubble left behind by a powerful earthquake. The quake struck the eastern portion of the country on Wednesday morning, killing over 1,000 people and injuring more than 1,500 more. Sadly, officials are warning people that the death toll is expected to grow as more bodies are pulled from the damaged structures.

Details of Earthquake

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake was measured at a magnitude of 5.9 paired with a depth of 6.21 miles. The epicenter of the earthquake was positioned in the Paktika province, near the border of Pakistan. The closest major city to the epicenter is Khost. Most of the fatalities were reported in the districts of Nika, Barmal, Giyan, and Zirok.

The tremor struck in a remote area of the country. Because the buildings in this part of Afghanistan are not constructed to withstand earthquakes, they are more vulnerable to damage. Photos have been streaming in from the impact area, demonstrating the scope of the damage as multiple homes and buildings were reduced to piles of rubble. Officials estimate that approximately 2,000 homes have been destroyed.

According to the United Nations (UN), heavy rain and strong winds that moved into the area after the quake prevented helicopters from reaching the region with supplies. This part of the Middle East is in the middle of the monsoon season. In addition, rescue efforts were also hindered because of the inclement weather. Better weather on Thursday is helping to speed up the search and rescue process.

Paula Bronstein/Getty Images News via Getty Images

Big Test for Taliban

After taking over the country in August, the Taliban is now tasked with the direction and implementation of the rescue and cleanup efforts. Unfortunately for innocent Afghans impacted by the earthquake, the Taliban has been cut off from financial assistance due to sanctions placed on the country. While the U.S. had been positioned in the country for years, the pullout from the region last year has left the country even more vulnerable to crisis situations such as this.

However, the UN confirmed that they are still providing humanitarian aid to the region despite the presence of the all-encompassing sanctions. UN teams have been dispatched to the areas hit the hardest by the tremor. A Taliban spokesperson is asking for the global community to step up and send aid to the area immediately. The most pressing immediate needs are for medical supplies and care for those who have been injured, shelter, food, water, and clothing.

The country has already said that it will set aside $11 million in aid with each family of the deceased set to receive about $1,000. Those injured as a result of the tremor will receive $500 in assistance.

Pakistan has relaxed its borders in the northern province of Khyber Pakhtunkwa in an effort to provide care for the injured and displaced. The country is now allowing injured Afghans to travel across the border for medical treatment.

Recent Flooding Complicating Aid Outreach

In addition to the chaos created at the hands of the earthquake, this part of Afghanistan has also experienced severe flooding in recent weeks. These flooding events have killed 11 and left at least 50 people injured. Many roads in the region have been left impassable as a result of the flooding.

This earthquake is one for the record books. Over 200 people lost their lives when an earthquake in the northeastern portion of Afghanistan struck in 2005. A 6.1 magnitude earthquake that rocked the country in 1998 killed at least 4,500 people.

Did you find this content useful? Feel free to bookmark or to post to your timeline for reference later!