Kabul: Afghanistan is grappling with a devastating humanitarian crisis following a series of powerful earthquakes that struck its eastern provinces, leaving more than 1,400 people dead and thousands injured. The hardest-hit areas, particularly in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces, are remote and mountainous, making rescue efforts extremely challenging. Roads have been destroyed, villages flattened, and landslides triggered by the tremors have blocked access to many communities.
In response, the Afghan government has deployed commando units via airdrops to reach survivors stranded in isolated locations. These elite teams are tasked with providing immediate medical aid, evacuating the critically injured, and distributing emergency supplies. Helicopters have been essential for delivering food, water, and blankets to areas inaccessible by land, highlighting the logistical difficulties posed by the rugged terrain.
The United Nations has issued a stark warning about the potential for a deepening food crisis. The World Food Programme (WFP) cautioned that current food stocks in the affected regions may run out within weeks unless urgent international assistance is secured. John Aylieff, WFP’s country director, stressed that the scale of the disaster exceeds available resources, and immediate action is needed to prevent further suffering.
International humanitarian organizations, including Médecins Sans Frontières, have joined the relief efforts, providing trauma care, emergency shelters, and essential medicines. However, relief teams continue to face obstacles due to destroyed infrastructure, unstable conditions, and the ongoing risk of aftershocks, which threaten both survivors and rescuers.
As Afghanistan struggles to cope with this dual emergency of natural disaster and potential food scarcity, aid agencies are calling on the global community to mobilize quickly. Without rapid and sustained support, thousands more could face life-threatening conditions, compounding the nation’s already fragile humanitarian situation.