Afghanistan is reeling after a series of devastating earthquakes left thousands dead and entire villages flattened.
The country, already struggling with poverty, drought, and political instability under Taliban rule, now faces what aid workers are calling a “crisis within a crisis.”
The first quake struck just after midnight on Monday, plunging remote villages into chaos and leaving more than 2,200 people dead.
With a depth of only six miles, the tremor wreaked havoc across at least five provinces, hitting Kunar and Nangarhar the hardest.
Aftershocks and Ongoing Dangers
As if one disaster wasn’t enough, the region was shaken by a second 5.5 magnitude quake on Tuesday, temporarily halting rescue efforts, followed by a 5.6 tremor on Thursday night.
Two more powerful aftershocks struck eastern Afghanistan on Friday, raising fears of further casualties and destruction.
The rugged terrain of steep river valleys and high mountains has made it extremely difficult for rescuers to reach affected communities.
Helicopters and airdropped army commandos are supplementing on-foot efforts, but landslides and blocked roads continue to isolate entire villages.
Women Face Disproportionate Risks
Survivors have reported that Taliban-enforced cultural norms are leaving women especially vulnerable.
Male rescuers in some areas have allegedly been prevented from touching women, and female rescuers are barred entirely.
One survivor told The Telegraph, “They pushed us aside and took men for treatment.
We were left bleeding. No one offered to help.”
Community health workers fear these restrictions could dramatically increase the death toll among women.
The Afghan Red Crescent Society has warned that casualties are expected to rise as the rescue operation continues under these challenging circumstances.
Urgent Humanitarian Needs
The UN has estimated that hundreds of thousands of people could be impacted, with numbers expected to climb rapidly.
Indrika Ratwatte, the UN’s human coordinator in Afghanistan, emphasized the “race against time” to reach those stranded in remote areas.
“The resilience of these communities has been saturated,” he said, calling for urgent international support.
Humanitarian organizations face additional hurdles due to funding shortages.
The Norwegian Refugee Council, for instance, has seen its staff numbers drop from 1,100 in 2023 to fewer than 450 today, with only one warehouse and limited emergency stock available.
Immediate funding gaps are leaving thousands without vital aid.
Relief Efforts Face Logistical Challenges
Organizations like Human Appeal UK and the British Red Cross are working tirelessly to deliver life-saving supplies, but access is a major problem.
Landslides and rough terrain slow aid delivery, while repeated aftershocks and ongoing floods further complicate operations.
Emergency teams are providing tents, food, medicine, and hygiene supplies, but the scale of need is enormous.
Jeremy Smith, British Red Cross Country Manager for Afghanistan, noted that displaced families could face harsh conditions for months, with winter approaching and homes destroyed.
UNICEF is also rushing supplies for thousands of children at risk, including warm clothing, medical kits, and sanitation materials.
International Aid and the Role of the Taliban
While Taliban authorities have deployed fighters to assist with relief, the government’s capacity is limited due to sanctions, shrinking foreign aid, and the return of millions of Afghans from neighboring countries.
The World Health Organization warned that damaged roads and overwhelmed local health systems are creating total dependence on external aid actors.
The epicenter of the initial quake was 21 miles northeast of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province.
The German Research Centre for Geosciences reported that the later 6.2 magnitude quake struck the eastern region at a depth of 10 kilometers, with tremors felt as far as India and Pakistan.
A Race Against Time
With villages destroyed, thousands injured, and the death toll still rising, the situation in Afghanistan is dire.
Aid groups are calling for immediate international support as survivors face the long road to recovery.
As rescue teams navigate treacherous terrain and ongoing aftershocks, every hour counts in saving lives and providing critical relief.