KABUL: The death toll from the recent earthquake in Afghanistan has reached 800, with at least 2,800 individuals injured, authorities report. However, officials warn that these numbers are likely to increase significantly as rescue efforts continue and more victims are uncovered.
Nader from the IFRC emphasized that the figures are expected to rise in the coming hours and days, citing ongoing challenges such as unsafe roads, lack of shelter, and limited access to affected areas. “We anticipate these numbers will go up,” she stated, highlighting the serious risks faced by responders.
UNHCR Urges Immediate International Assistance
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has issued an urgent appeal for international aid, indicating that over 2,000 people are estimated to be injured in Kunar province. There are also growing concerns that Jalalabad, a key trading city, may have experienced a very high death toll.Humanitarian agencies are actively providing emergency supplies, including medical equipment, tents, clean water, and blankets. Babar Baloch, UNHCR spokesperson, warned that the disaster’s scale far exceeds the capacity of local authorities and communities, calling on international donors to act swiftly.
Islamic Relief has dispatched an emergency health team to assist earthquake survivors, focusing on remote mountainous regions where landslides have blocked roads, complicating rescue efforts. Many villages are accessible only on foot, with some casualties being evacuated by helicopter.
Ibrahim Ahmed Alhomadi, head of programmes at Islamic Relief Afghanistan, confirmed the safety of their team and detailed their response efforts. “People have lost everything and are in urgent need of healthcare, food, water, and shelter,” he said.
The aid organization is prioritizing health services in Kunar province, including maternal and child healthcare, injury treatment, nutritional support, and trauma care, aiming to provide vital assistance to those most affected.
