WHO Reaffirms Commitment to Support Afghan Earthquake Victims, Amidst Growing Humanitarian Crisis

KUNAR, Afghanistan – Senior officials from the World Health Organization (WHO) have reaffirmed the agency’s continued support for the thousands of families devastated by the recent powerful earthquake in eastern Afghanistan. The pledge comes as the country, already grappling with a severe economic and humanitarian crisis, faces a monumental recovery effort.

The confirmation was delivered directly on the ground in Kunar province, one of the hardest-hit areas. Dr. Edwin Ceniza Salvador, the WHO Representative in Afghanistan, visited Anderlach village as part of a high-level United Nations delegation led by Mr. Indrika Ratwatte, the UN Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan.

Assessment and Assurance on the Ground

The delegation’s primary goal was to conduct a first-hand assessment of the victims’ most pressing needs. Dr. Salvador visited the WHO-supported Emergency Primary Health Care Center in Anderlach, which has been critical in treating the wounded. In meetings with community elders, local partners, and officials, he emphasized WHO’s unwavering commitment to maintaining life-saving health services for the affected population.

“Our immediate priority is ensuring every affected individual and family has access to urgent healthcare, from trauma care to the prevention of disease outbreaks,” Dr. Salvador stated. “WHO will remain with the Afghan people not only in this acute phase but until essential services are fully restored and livelihoods are rebuilt.”

A Catastrophe Compounded by Existing Vulnerabilities

The scale of the disaster is immense. According to latest government figures, the earthquake claimed 2,205 lives, injured 3,640 people across Kunar, Nangarhar, and Laghman provinces, and completely destroyed 6,782 houses. The quake has exacerbated an already dire situation in Afghanistan, where the healthcare system is on the brink of collapse due to a lack of international funding and a deep economic crisis.

The destruction of homes and infrastructure has left thousands exposed to the elements, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases, respiratory infections, and malnutrition, particularly among children. The urgent need for shelter, clean water, and food is paramount.

Broader UN Mobilization for Shelter and Recovery

Echoing the health-focused efforts of WHO, other UN agencies are mobilizing to address the multifaceted crisis. Just yesterday, UN-Habitat stressed the critical need to immediately begin rebuilding destroyed houses before the harsh winter season sets in. Their focus is on providing not just temporary shelters but also assisting with the construction of seismically-resistant, permanent housing to mitigate future disaster risks.

The international response is being coordinated, but aid groups face significant logistical challenges. The earthquake struck remote, mountainous regions with poor road infrastructure, making access difficult for heavy machinery and relief supplies. Furthermore, the complex political situation with the Taliban-led government continues to pose challenges for the smooth delivery of international aid.

Despite these hurdles, the collective message from the UN and its partners is one of solidarity. The world body is urging the international community to ramp up financial support to prevent a secondary crisis of disease and displacement, ensuring that the victims of the Afghan earthquake are not forgotten.

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