UN Issues Urgent Plea for Afghanistan’s Kunar Province as Winter Threatens Earthquake Survivors

KUNAR, Afghanistan – The United Nations has issued a stark warning and an urgent call for international aid for thousands of families in eastern Afghanistan reeling from a powerful earthquake, emphasizing that the rapidly approaching winter threatens to compound the disaster.

In a statement released on Monday, Andrika Ratwatte, the UN Deputy Special Representative and Humanitarian Coordinator in Afghanistan, underscored the critical need for immediate action. “Providing adequate shelter is now our absolute top priority,” Ratwatte stated. “These families have lost everything. With winter just weeks away, we must rapidly scale up emergency support to provide warmth and protection. Without it, we will see a secondary crisis of exposure and suffering.”

The earthquake, which struck the mountainous Kunar province, has left a trail of devastation. Initial assessments by UN agencies and humanitarian partners indicate that over 6,000 homes have been completely destroyed, displacing tens of thousands of people. Many are now living in the open or in flimsy, makeshift shelters cobbled together from rubble and tarps, offering little defense against the region’s harsh winter weather.

Beyond Shelter: A Multifaceted Crisis

While shelter is the most pressing concern, Ratwatte also highlighted another critical shortage: access to clean water. “The earthquake has damaged or destroyed vital water sources and infrastructure,” he said. “The urgent need for clean and safe drinking water in the quake-hit areas cannot be overstated. Many affected communities are now facing severe shortages, dramatically increasing the risk of waterborne diseases outbreaks, especially among children.”

The scope of the disaster extends beyond Kunar. The UN estimates that nearly half a million people across Afghanistan’s eastern provinces have been impacted by the recent seismic activity. This has created a vast population in need of multi-sectoral assistance, including:

• Emergency Food Aid: Lost livelihoods and damaged farmland have threatened food security.

• Medical Care: Injuries from the quake require treatment, and the collapse of health clinics has disrupted routine care.

• Psychological Support: Many survivors are traumatized by the event and the loss of loved ones and homes.

A Perfect Storm: Logistical Hurdles and a Pre-existing Crisis

Humanitarian agencies face a formidable challenge. The region’s rugged, mountainous terrain makes many affected villages difficult to reach, a problem that will only worsen with the first snowfall, potentially cutting off communities entirely.

Furthermore, this new disaster hits a population already grappling with one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, the country’s economy has been in freefall, and existing aid systems are stretched to their limit.

“The international community must not look away,” the UN’s statement implored. The world body has appealed directly to donors and aid organizations to step up contributions urgently. It warned that without a swift and significant increase in funding and on-the-ground support, the international response will fall fatally short.

The message is clear: for the thousands of homeless earthquake survivors in Kunar, the race against time has begun. The coming of winter is not just a change of season; it is a looming threat that could turn a tragedy into a catastrophe.

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