Catastrophic Earthquake in Afghanistan Causes Over 800 Deaths and Thousands of Injuries

Catastrophic earthquake in Afghanistan leaves over 800 dead, thousands injured - Catastrophic earthquake in Afghanistan leaves over 800 fatalities and thousands wounded

In the early hours of yesterday morning, an earthquake struck the country of Afghanistan, with the epicenter located just 27 kilometers from Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar. The tremor, which occurred at a shallow depth of eight kilometers, has caused significant damage and loss of life.

The disaster has been met with swift responses from multiple aid organisations coordinated by Aktion Deutschland Hilft. These organisations are providing emergency assistance to the affected areas, including clean water, food supplies such as flour, rice, and oil, hygiene kits to prevent disease spread, winter aid, cash transfers for self-sustenance, medical aid, psychosocial support, physiotherapy, prosthetics, medications, and medical equipment.

The Afghan Red Crescent, supported by the German Red Cross, is also actively involved in the relief efforts. They have deployed mobile health teams, run outpatient clinics, and are distributing food packages and clean drinking water in the affected provinces of Helmand, Kapisa, Khost, Nangarhar, and Panjshir. The organisations are providing medical treatment and psychosocial assistance to those in need.

The initial death toll stands at over 800 in the province of Kunar, with at least 2500 injuries reported. In the neighboring province of Nangarhar, at least 12 people have been killed and 255 others injured. The tremor was also felt in Kabul and the Pakistani capital Islamabad.

Following the earthquake, at least five aftershocks were reported, including one of magnitude 5.2. Earthquakes at shallow depths often cause significant damage, as was the case in this disaster.

In response to the crisis, Taliban authorities and the United Nations have launched rescue operations and UN teams are on the ground to provide humanitarian assistance and life-saving support. The UN teams aim to alleviate the suffering of the affected population and help rebuild the devastated communities.

As the situation continues to unfold, the international community is urged to support the relief efforts and provide the necessary resources to help those affected by the disaster.