UNITED NATIONS (AP) — An initial United Nations assessment of the impact of Afghanistan’s recent deadly earthquake found 5,230 homes destroyed and 672 damaged in 49 villages, although the U.N. has been unable to reach most remote villages.
Shannon O’Hara, coordination chief for the U.N. humanitarian office in Afghanistan, stated that damaged roads in the rugged eastern mountains made impact assessments difficult in 441 affected villages. The earthquake, measuring 6.0 in magnitude, struck on August 31, leading to at least 2,200 fatalities. This figure could rise as recovery efforts continue, with approximately 500,000 people affected, many of whom are children and families forcibly returned from neighboring Pakistan and Iran.
O’Hara described her challenging journey to the hardest-hit areas, noting it took over six hours to navigate narrow, landslide-affected roads from Jalalabad, the nearest major city, to the epicenter located roughly 100 kilometers away.
During her visit, she observed families fleeing in a state of distress, many still wearing the clothing they had on during the quake. As the UN team approached the most devastated regions, they encountered entire destroyed villages and the harsh realities faced by those displaced, including families living in makeshift tents and exposed to the elements. Clean drinking water was unavailable, raising the specter of a cholera outbreak in an area already struggling with endemic health concerns.
The UN is urgently calling for basic necessities like clean water, food, tents, sanitation facilities, and warm clothing as they head into the winter months. The ruling Taliban authorities have led search and rescue efforts, with humanitarian operations ongoing, ensuring that women are included in aid efforts. If immediate assistance isn't provided, officials warn that mountain communities may face severe consequences from the impending winter hardships.
Shannon O’Hara, coordination chief for the U.N. humanitarian office in Afghanistan, stated that damaged roads in the rugged eastern mountains made impact assessments difficult in 441 affected villages. The earthquake, measuring 6.0 in magnitude, struck on August 31, leading to at least 2,200 fatalities. This figure could rise as recovery efforts continue, with approximately 500,000 people affected, many of whom are children and families forcibly returned from neighboring Pakistan and Iran.
O’Hara described her challenging journey to the hardest-hit areas, noting it took over six hours to navigate narrow, landslide-affected roads from Jalalabad, the nearest major city, to the epicenter located roughly 100 kilometers away.
During her visit, she observed families fleeing in a state of distress, many still wearing the clothing they had on during the quake. As the UN team approached the most devastated regions, they encountered entire destroyed villages and the harsh realities faced by those displaced, including families living in makeshift tents and exposed to the elements. Clean drinking water was unavailable, raising the specter of a cholera outbreak in an area already struggling with endemic health concerns.
The UN is urgently calling for basic necessities like clean water, food, tents, sanitation facilities, and warm clothing as they head into the winter months. The ruling Taliban authorities have led search and rescue efforts, with humanitarian operations ongoing, ensuring that women are included in aid efforts. If immediate assistance isn't provided, officials warn that mountain communities may face severe consequences from the impending winter hardships.
