The death toll from recent earthquakes in Afghanistan has exceeded 2,200, with rescue operations ongoing in the eastern mountainous regions. The Taliban administration reported that at least 3,640 people have sustained injuries, while survivors face a dire situation due to dwindling global aid resources.
The initial quake, measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale, struck on March 24, 2024, in the provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar, causing widespread destruction at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. A subsequent tremor, with a magnitude of 5.5, followed on March 26, 2024, further complicating rescue efforts and causing landslides that obstructed access to remote villages.
“I lost everything,” lamented Aalem Jan, a resident of Kunar, whose home was completely destroyed. “The only remaining things are these clothes on our backs,” he added, as his family sat outside, surrounded by their meager belongings.
According to the United Nations, over 6,700 homes have been demolished, and the humanitarian crisis continues to escalate. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has warned that nearly 84,000 people are directly or indirectly affected, with the number of displaced individuals increasing rapidly.
In some villages within Kunar province, two out of three residents have either died or been injured, with approximately 98 percent of buildings reported as either destroyed or severely damaged, as assessed by the British-based charity Islamic Relief Worldwide. Survivors are engaging in desperate searches for family members, sifting through rubble and transporting deceased individuals on makeshift stretchers.
Aid efforts have been hindered by ongoing aftershocks, with humanitarian organizations mobilizing resources amidst rising needs. Video footage has shown trucks delivering essential supplies, including flour, while authorities have deployed special forces to areas inaccessible by helicopter.
Afghanistan is particularly vulnerable to seismic activity, especially in the Hindu Kush mountain range, where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates converge. The construction of homes using dry masonry, stone, and timber has left many structures ill-equipped to withstand such quakes. Many families have opted to remain outdoors due to the instability of their homes, which have been further compromised by heavy rainfall in the days leading up to the earthquakes.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs noted that resources for rescue and relief operations are limited in a country of 42 million people already grappling with the impacts of war, poverty, and declining aid. A funding gap of $3 million for the World Health Organization threatens the delivery of essential medicines and trauma kits at a time of heightened demand.
John Aylieff, the country head of the UN World Food Programme, indicated that current funding and stock levels could only support survivors for an additional four weeks. In light of this, Jacopo Caridi of the Norwegian Refugee Council has called for a more sustainable approach to aid, emphasizing the need for long-term solutions rather than temporary relief.
“The earthquake should serve as a stark reminder: Afghanistan cannot be left to face one crisis after another alone,” Caridi stated, underscoring the urgency for international cooperation and support.
As rescue operations continue, the focus remains on addressing the immediate needs of survivors while navigating the challenges posed by ongoing aftershocks and a critical lack of resources.
