A second devastating earthquake has struck Afghanistan just days after the first quake claimed the lives of at least 1,400 people. The latest earthquake, measuring 5.2 magnitude, occurred on Tuesday, September 2, about 34 kilometers northeast of the Afghan city of Jalalabad, with a depth of 10 kilometers, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey.
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The Taliban government spokesperson revealed that the death toll from the initial 6.0-magnitude earthquake on Sunday, August 31, has now exceeded a staggering 1,411 people, with over 3,000 individuals injured. The quake struck the province of Kunar, near Jalalabad, and its neighboring provinces, causing widespread destruction and chaos. Many were trapped under collapsed buildings, and the challenging mountainous terrain has made rescue operations extremely difficult.
As Afghan relief efforts continue to garner international support, countries like the European Union, India, and Britain have stepped in by providing donations in both funds and supplies. Britain has donated $1.35 million, India has delivered 1,000 family tents to Kabul and is dispatching 15 tons of food to Kunar, while the European Union announced delivering $1.16 million in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.
Despite facing humanitarian crises even before the earthquakes, Afghanistan remains in dire need of support as nearly 23 million people are estimated to require humanitarian assistance this year. The situation is exacerbated by food insecurity affecting 12.6 million people, as well as recent mass repatriations of Afghans from neighbouring countries, which have strained resources further.
The United Nations has been actively involved in coordinating aid efforts, with aid workers racing against time to assist survivors of the disaster. Indrika Ratwatte, the UN’s top aid official in Afghanistan, expressed concerns over the impact of the earthquakes, stating that hundreds of thousands of people have been affected, with homes destroyed, injuries, casualties, and loss of livelihoods and livestock.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat confirming that commandos have been airlifted to areas inaccessible by planes to rescue the injured. The challenging terrain and landslides triggered by the earthquakes have posed significant obstacles but have not deterred rescue teams from their crucial mission of saving lives.
The European Union’s provision of 130 tons of relief supplies, including tents and clothing, underscores the urgent need for humanitarian aid in Afghanistan. The EU’s statement highlights the critical situation in the country, emphasising the pressing requirements of the population, given the multiple ongoing challenges faced by Afghan communities.
As the devastation unfolds, the global community continues to rally support for Afghanistan, recognising the urgent need for assistance in the wake of the earthquakes. The resilience and unity shown in the face of such adversity demonstrate the strength of the human spirit, as efforts are tirelessly directed towards providing aid and relief to those affected by the ongoing crisis.