The border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan was struck by a deadly 5.9 magnitude Earthquake on 22 June 2022 at 1:54 AM, local timing.
It was the deadliest earthquake that rocked Afghanistan in the last two decades. It struck about 44km (27 miles) from the South-Eastern city of Khost, near the border of Pakistan. Some destruction was reported in Pakistan also.
As of now, at least 1,000 people were reported dead and 1,500 injured, and the toll is expected to grow as strict search and rescue operations are still underway in eastern Afghanistan. Doctors said that many of the victims were children, who were buried under the ruins.
Tremors of the earthquake were felt by at least 119 million people, over 500km away in the parts of India and Pakistan. Pakistan also faced several dozen casualties and damage, making it the deadliest earthquake in the country since 2015.
The Eastern Paktika Province is claimed to be the most devastated area with around 255 casualties and more than 200 injuries now. Rescuers and Survivors from the Paktika province have said that the region is completely destroyed, all villages near the epicenter of the earthquake, roads, and mobile phone towers were totally devastated. More than 25 villages were almost demolished, which also delayed Global aid to reach the affected areas due to the collapse of logistical channels.
The earthquake coincided with heavy rains and flooding in some parts which was another challenge for Afghan Authorities because many homes in the area are temporarily built with wood, mud, and straws and are vulnerable to weather damage. According to the reports the havoc destroyed more than 2000 homes in Paktika province.
Local people are also trying to take out the dead and injured to help and support rescue teams as many people are still buried under the rubble of ruins.
The severe Economic crisis in Afghanistan is also a major constraint to worry about which is making the situation worse. After the Taliban takeover, last year many countries cut off their funding in development aid and made Afghanistan crippled. Pakistan also set a limit on Afghans entering the country through the land border since the takeover.
Although for the sake of Humanity many international agencies such as the UN come over to help Afghanistan from starvation in this period of disaster. For this purpose, Pakistan has opened its land border in the northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and allowed injured people to cross the border without a visa for treatment and medical services.
According to the United Nations shelters, food items, water, medical aids, hygiene, and sanitary items, and trauma care are in urgent need. Chinese and Indian ministries also expressed their condolences and announces that they are ready to provide every possible emergency assistance and support through the UN.
There is grief and mourning in every street of Afghanistan, 1 out of every 3 people is hungry and around 2 million children are malnourished. Afghanistan is fighting drought, epidemic, and national and international conflicts altogether, the food security situation continues to worsen, and months or even years are required to cope with destruction and loss. It’s an extremely hard task to be back on track.