International community offers support to Afghanistan after the earthquake

The consequences of the 5.9 earthquake in Afghanistan are already being felt. The earthquake that hit the provinces of Khost and Paktika, leaving more than 1,000 dead and 1,500 injured, is causing devastation in a country that is experiencing a critical humanitarian crisis. The latest information available says that the Taliban government is overwhelmed by events as the search for survivors intensifies.

Weather conditions are not helping and are blocking rescue operations. According to Mohammad Amin Huzaifa, head of Paktika's Department of Information and Culture, heavy rains are worsening the situation and rescue teams are having difficulty accessing mountainous areas. "All houses are destroyed and people are still trapped under the rubble," he told AFP news agency.

The Taliban are beginning to be overwhelmed by the worst earthquake in two decades. Despite their best efforts, helicopters are in short supply and operations are taking too long, as well as lacking the resources that are essential on such occasions. The Afghan state news agency, Bakthar, says that due to difficulties in accessing and communicating with the affected villages, the number of injured and dead could rise considerably.

"Search and rescue operations are ongoing and the number of casualties is expected to continue to rise in the coming days, along with the number of affected communities," says Ramiz Alakbarov, deputy special representative of the UN secretary-general for Afghanistan.

The situation is worse than expected. In addition to the earthquake, Afghanistan is going through a difficult time and the quake has left a crumbling and completely destroyed health system in its wake.

As a result, the Taliban have appealed for international assistance to deal with the situation. "We know that several districts in Paktika province are the worst affected, but it is also raining cats and dogs and that makes it difficult to reach these communities. It's hard to know the extent of the horror that's been experienced in the last 24 hours," UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan Sam Mort told the BBC.

She said the Taliban have contacted all kinds of humanitarian agencies asking for help and working together in the worst-affected areas. However, resources are insufficient and survivors are having to help each other. "People are digging grave after grave," says Huzaifa.

The international blockade of the Taliban is worsening the situation. However, some nations are already working to send supplies and materials to those affected.

"We plan to further increase the aid budget to Afghanistan. And we will provide more aid in the coming days. Not through the Taliban, but with our partners and aid agencies like UNICEF and WHO, who can reach people directly on the ground. Although other crises are currently more in the media spotlight, we have not forgotten the people of Afghanistan and we know our special responsibility," German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told Euronews.

India has also shown its concern for the Afghans and has just sent aid and equipment to assist in the rescue operations. Its support is based on two aircraft loaded with 27 tonnes of basic necessities such as tents, sleeping bags, blankets, mats, food, etc. "India, a real first responder," said Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. 

India was left without a diplomatic presence in Kabul after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan but, seeing the current state of the country, they have not hesitated to come to the aid of the Afghans. It has sent 20,000 tonnes of wheat, 13 tonnes of medicine, doses of COVID-19 vaccines and other essential materials. "As always, India stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, with whom we share centuries-old ties, and remains firmly committed to providing immediate assistance to the Afghan people," the Indian Ministry of External Affairs statement said.

For their part, the UN and other organisations still operating in the country have sent supplies to the affected regions, ranging from essential medical kits to materials for those who have lost their homes.