OCHA Urges Urgent International Assistance for Earthquake Victims in Kunar
Tawazon – The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has called for urgent international support for families affected by recent earthquakes in Afghanistan’s Kunar province, warning that the arrival of winter and increased rainfall have left survivors facing a worsening humanitarian situation.
According to a report released by OCHA, on Monday, October 6, dozens of families in the earthquake affected areas of Kunar are still living without adequate shelter. As temperatures drop and rain falls, the lack of proper housing, heating stoves, and warm supplies poses a serious threat to their health and safety.
Indrika Ratwatte, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan, urged the international community to step up immediate assistance for those affected, especially as the winter approaches.
“As winter approaches, thousands of families in Kunar and other earthquake-affected areas remain at risk. They urgently need safe shelter, heating materials, and life-saving aid. I appeal to the international community to continue the support that urgently needed”, Ratwatte said.
Initial assessments indicate that shelter, non-food items such as blankets and warm clothing and access to health services and clean water are among the most important needs of affected families. OCHA teams and partner organizations are currently conducting detailed damage assessments and coordinating emergency response efforts.
OCHA warned that the ongoing decline in humanitarian funding for Afghanistan has severely hampered the ability to respond effectively to both natural disasters and seasonal crises.
The report concluded that without immediate financial support from the international community, the risk of death and disease among vulnerable families, especially children and the elderly will rise dramatically.
