UN Raises Alarm over Food Shortages after Deadly Afghanistan Earthquakes
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The UN World Food Program sounded the alarm that its food aid for victims of Afghanistan’s deadly earthquakes may run out soon, leaving thousands at risk of starvation.
The WFP cautioned that its funding crisis leaves only four weeks of food stocks available for those affected.
“Four weeks is just not enough even to meet the basic, essential needs of the population struck by the earthquake, let alone put the victims on a path back to rebuilding their lives,” said John Aylieff, WFP’s country director in Afghanistan.
UN data shows WFP’s funding for Afghanistan this year has fallen to under $300 million, compared with $1.7 billion in 2022, the first full year under Taliban rule.
Relief operations remain stretched in the country of 42 million, already battered by years of conflict, poverty and aid cuts.
The first quake, magnitude 6, struck Kunar and Nangarhar provinces around midnight on Sunday, causing widespread destruction.
A second quake of magnitude 5.5 on Tuesday triggered landslides, blocked roads and disrupted rescue efforts.
The Taliban administration reported 1,457 deaths, 3,394 injuries and more than 6,700 homes destroyed, warning the toll could rise as people remain trapped.
Authorities set up camps to coordinate relief and transfer the wounded, but officials stressed air support was urgently needed.
“What we really need is air support, helicopters. Tragically WFP had a helicopter...until a few months ago when funding cuts put an end to that,” Aylieff said.
Survivors in Kunar province reported entire families wiped out.
In Lulam village, 63-year-old Darbar said her house was destroyed and aid had not reached her family for three days.
“No one even hears our voices,” she said, adding she was injured and left without food or shelter.
Aid groups said conditions for survivors were worsening by the hour, especially for women and children.
Weakly built homes of stone and timber collapsed easily in the quakes, compounded by heavy rains.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs appealed for shelter, food, clean water, sanitation and medical supplies.
Doctors Without Borders distributed trauma kits in hospitals but also called for more international aid.
Afghanistan, lying on the tectonic fault line of the Hindu Kush, remains one of the world’s most quake-prone countries, where repeated disasters compound an already severe humanitarian crisis.
