The Earthquake and Initial Impact

A powerful earthquake with ⁣a magnitude of 6.0 struck eastern Afghanistan on October 7, 2023. the epicenter was located‍ in the mountainous region near⁢ the border ‌with Pakistan. The quake caused ‌significant damage to homes and infrastructure, particularly⁣ in provinces ⁣like Paktika, Khost, and Nangarhar.

As of reports from the​ UN,⁣ the magnitude six quake has already left‍ more ⁤than 800⁤ dead and at least ⁢2,000 injured, but the‌ total impact could be ‌in the “hundreds of thousands”, ‌according to the‌ UN’s top aid official in the country, ⁢Indrika Ratwatte.

Speaking from Kabul, Mr. ⁤Ratwatte said that mud and wooden⁤ roof structures were predominant in the affected mountainous provinces.

“When the walls collapse, the roof is what basically falls on individuals, kills​ them​ or ⁢suffocates them,” he said. “sence this happened in the ‌night, everybody was sleeping,”⁣ the senior UN aid official explained, indicating that⁣ many more people may ‌be trapped under ‌the debris.

Scale of the Damage and Humanitarian Needs

Massive⁣ Loss of Homes and Livelihoods

Hundreds of thousands could be impacted,⁣ “as in houses destroyed, injured, casualties, ⁣livestock lost and⁢ any livelihood systems that they had”, Mr. Ratwatte explained.

The earthquake ⁤has resulted in a massive loss of homes, livestock, and livelihoods. The region is largely rural and relies heavily‌ on agriculture. The destruction of homes leaves families exposed to‌ the elements, and the loss of ⁣livestock impacts food security and income.

Challenges to Access and Response

In the first critical 24 hours ‌after the earthquake hit, access was “very limited”, owing ‍to ⁢landslides and rockfalls triggered by the tremors. Some roads ‌were already blocked by ⁤previous rockslides caused by recent heavy rainfall.

“This has posed a huge challenge to us as we deploy right now,” Mr. Ratwatte said, stressing that 20 emergency assessment teams have been mobilized alongside 15 mobile teams “which will enhance ⁣the humanitarian flights from Kabul to Jalalabad”, ⁤capital of the affected Nangarhar province.

The UN Humanitarian Air Service has ⁢scheduled additional flights connecting Kabul and Jalalabad for personnel and cargo to scale up the response.

The aid official ​also said that the UN and others are trying to set up or repair damaged mobile networks as there is​ “zero ‌connectivity” with some affected communities, “and⁤ even⁢ to bring in helicopters and land,” another challenge for the de facto authorities.

“It’s not⁣ easy to get to ⁢thes areas and keep shuttling‍ injured individuals,” he said.

Health Risks​ and long-Term Concerns

Disease‌ Outbreak Potential

Mr. Ratwatte underscored the importance of ⁢protection work, “including psychosocial support for