Taliban say Afghanistan earthquake rescue efforts almost complete

Well being ministry says assist has begun to reach to the world affected by the earthquake that killed not less than 1,000 folks.

A Taliban helicopter takes off after bringing aid to the site of an earthquake in Gayan, Afghanistan
A Taliban helicopter takes off after bringing assist to the location of an earthquake in Gayan, Afghanistan [Ali Khara/Reuters]

Help has began to reach in a distant a part of Afghanistan the place an earthquake killed not less than 1,000 folks, as Taliban officers mentioned the rescue operation was nearly full.

The magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck early on Wednesday about 160km (100 miles) southeast of Kabul, in arid mountains dotted with small settlements close to the border with Pakistan.

Poor communications and an absence of correct roads are hampering reduction efforts in a rustic already grappling with a humanitarian disaster which has escalated for the reason that Taliban took over final August.

“The rescue operation has completed, nobody is trapped beneath (the) rubble,” Mohammad Ismail Muawiyah, a spokesman for the highest Taliban army commander within the hardest-hit Paktika province, advised the Reuters information company on Thursday.

Afghan people place their clothes to dry on dried out shrubs near the ruins of houses damaged by an earthquake in Bernal district, Paktika province
Afghan folks place their garments to dry on dried out shrubs close to the ruins of homes broken by an earthquake in Bernal district, Paktika province [Sahel Arman/AFP]

The United Nations mentioned on Thursday the Taliban ministry of defence had indicated as early as Wednesday that 90 per cent of search and rescue operations had been accomplished.

The earthquake killed about 1,000 folks and injured 1,500, Muawiyah mentioned. Greater than 3,000 homes have been destroyed.

The dying toll makes it Afghanistan’s deadliest earthquake in 20 years, in line with US authorities information.

About 1,000 folks had been rescued by Thursday morning, Sharafat Zaman, a spokesperson for the well being ministry, advised Reuters information company.

“Help has arrived to the world and it's persevering with however extra is required,” he mentioned.

Chatting with Al Jazeera from Paktika province, journalist Ali Latifi mentioned the scenario on the bottom was “actually unhealthy”.

“Whenever you’re in these helicopters and also you’re flying over these districts, you discover that they’re principally nestled in these mountains and in these hillsides which can be all unpaved, rocky areas …  total properties made from mud. Actually poor areas the place folks have essentially the most primary residing requirements,” he mentioned.

“Even the closest clinic to one of many districts we have been in, they mentioned it’s half-hour away – and even that could be a non-public clinic which might value some huge cash for folks to go to. And once more getting there's extraordinarily tough.”

Requires assist

The response to the catastrophe is a significant check for the Taliban, who took over as US-led worldwide forces withdrew after twenty years of warfare.

The humanitarian scenario has deteriorated alarmingly for the reason that Taliban takeover, assist officers say, with the nation minimize off from a lot worldwide help due to sanctions.

Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesperson for the Afghan international ministry, on Thursday repeated requires extra worldwide assist to be offered.

“We name on pure catastrophe administration businesses and the worldwide neighborhood to supply instant and complete assist to the Afghan folks,” he posted on twitter.

Afghanistan’s financial system has all however collapsed, UN Secretary-Normal Antonio Guterres mentioned in an enchantment to help donors in late March.

Drought has undermined meals manufacturing and 9 million Afghans face famine. Some households have been compelled to promote kids and organs to outlive, he mentioned.

Afghanistan Earthquake destruction
Afghans stand amongst destruction after an earthquake in Gayan village [Ebrahim Nooroozi/AP Photo]

UN chief Guterres mentioned the worldwide company has “absolutely mobilised” to assist, deploying well being groups and provides of medication, meals, trauma kits and emergency shelter to the earthquake zone.

The UN mentioned its World Meals Programme (WFP) was sending meals and logistics gear to affected areas, with the intention of initially supporting 3,000 households.

“The Afghan individuals are already going through an unprecedented disaster following a long time of battle, extreme drought and an financial downturn,” mentioned Gordon Craig, WFP deputy nation director in Afghanistan.

“The earthquake will solely add to the already large humanitarian wants they endure each day.”

Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates all mentioned on Thursday they plan to ship assist. Provides from neighbour Pakistan have already crossed the border.

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