UN Secretary-General calls for increased aid to Afghan earthquake victims

KABUL: António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, has called for additional resources to provide urgent and effective assistance to the earthquake victims in eastern Afghanistan. According to a statement from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Guterres emphasized that the UN will not spare any effort to help the people of Afghanistan; however, the existing resources are insufficient to meet humanitarian needs. Guterres expressed deep sorrow over the heavy human casualties in Nangarhar province. He noted that the UN and partner agencies are coordinating with local authorities to assess needs, prepare immediate assistance, and mobilize further support. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has also announced that $10 million is being allocated for earthquake relief, with $5 million coming from the Central Emergency Response Fund and another $5 million from the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund. OCHA stated that discussions are ongoing with other donor countries to secure additional resources. A magnitude 6 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan on Sunday night, resulting in reported fatalities of 1,411, injuries to 3,124, and the destruction of over 5,412 houses, according to the Taliban. Furthermore, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Afghanistan announced today that approximately 500 hectares of agricultural land in Kunar province were destroyed due to the earthquake. This land includes rice, bean crops, and orchards. FAO added that between 1,000 and 1,500 livestock have also perished, with animal carcasses requiring immediate burial. The organization emphasized that most residents of Kunar rely on agriculture and livestock, and the damage to these sectors poses serious challenges to their livelihoods.