“I am in full solidarity with the inhabitants of Afghanistan after the devastating earthquake that hit the country earlier in the day,” said the secretary general in an online message. “I indicate my biggest condolences to the families of the victims and I wish a rapid recovery to the injured. THE @UN The team in Afghanistan is mobilized and will spare no effort to help those who need it in the affected areas. »»
On the ground, several United Nations agencies Devastation reported through Four oriental provinces of Afghanistan, including Nangarhar and Kunar, Where staff and humanitarian partners already support rescue efforts.
Trapped
Witnesses indicated that the earthquake had taken place around midnight, at local time, which increases fears that many Afghans can still be trapped under the rubble of their houses.
It is estimated that the epicenter of the tremor was only about eight kilometers (six miles) underground, making the buildings tremble in the Afghan capital, Kabul, and in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, according to information.
Among those who provide assistance are the United Nations assistance mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA)The U UN Aid Coordination Office (OCHA) THE United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) And many others.
“As a death report and injuries from the #earthquake in the eastern region of #Afghanistan continue to emerge, @WhoAfghanistan The teams are in the field in hospitals and health establishments, supporting the treatment of injured and evaluating urgent health needs, “said the United Nations Health Agency.
“We actively deliver essential drugs and supplies and deployment of health teams in affected areas to help #Savelives. “”
How the UN helps
United Nations teams are on the ground 160 countriesBy working with the authorities and partners of common programs in communities to promote climate action, food security, gender equality and civil security.
THE The UN has been present in Afghanistan since 1949; The work of the world organization there is motivated by the resident coordinator, Indrika Ratwatte, as head of a team of countries which includes around 20 agencies of the United Nations and international organizations such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.
International call
Also on the ground to provide help, the United Nations Agency for Refugees, HcrNote that more than 2,000 people were probably injured in the province of Kunar alone. It is feared that the commercial city of Jalalabad had suffered a “very high number of deaths”, said Hcr spokesperson Babar Baloch.
The United Nations agency is one of those who rush to support the rescue to affected areas, including medical equipment, refuge, drinking water, tents and covers. He underlined how the urgency added “death and destruction” to the many other existing human challenges of Afghanistan which include drought and the Back of millions of nationals from neighboring countries.
Mr. Baloch insisted that the extent of this disaster “Based, goes beyond the current capacity of local authorities and communities … We call on the donor community around the world to urgently support help efforts.
Help teams will have to overcome difficult terrain to help some of the most remote communities that can only be reached on foot, Ochha note.
He said de facto authorities had deployed heavy machines in Nurgal and Chawkay districts to remove road blockages and that some sections were reopened. People injured by criticism were also transported by plane by Helicopterto Jalalabad and the hospitals of Asadabad who are now the main reference points for the victims of the provinces of Nangarhar and Kunar.
But “a certain number of isolated communities” can only be reached on foot with a journey time up to three hours from the point of obstruction, noted OCHA, stressing those of Dewagal Valley in the Chawkay district and the Mazar valley in the district of Nurgal, the province of Kunar.
The earthquake is one of the worst to strike Afghanistan and has come for less than two years since three earthquakes of magnitude of 6.3 mortals rocked Herat on the other side of the country. They struck on October 7, 11 and 15, killing 1,480 people and injuring 1,950 others in 382 villages, leaving general destruction.
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
