Pakistan earthquake aid reached Afghanistan today as Islamabad dispatched 105 tonnes of humanitarian supplies to support survivors of a deadly quake. The relief comes as the disaster has claimed 1,469 lives and left more than 3,700 injured, according to the Taliban authorities. The tragedy has overwhelmed local communities and deepened Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis.
Deadly Earthquake in Eastern Afghanistan
A powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan’s eastern provinces on Sunday. The hardest-hit was Kunar, where more than 1,450 people died. Nearby Nangarhar and Laghman also reported casualties, with dozens killed and hundreds injured. Entire villages were flattened, leaving families homeless and vulnerable.
Officials described the disaster as one of the deadliest in decades for Afghanistan. Survivors have been forced into open fields, fearing constant aftershocks that continue to rattle damaged homes and unstable structures.
Pakistan Steps Forward
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed the dispatch of relief supplies. “Following my call with Foreign Minister Amir Muttaqi, the government of Pakistan today sent 105 tonnes of humanitarian relief to Afghanistan,” he said.
The consignment includes food, medicines, tents, blankets, and bubble mats. Trucks carrying five large containers crossed into Afghanistan via the Torkham border. A departure ceremony was held at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) warehouse in Islamabad.
Minister of State for Religious Affairs Kheal Das Kohistani, along with NDMA and Foreign Ministry officials, attended the ceremony. Dar expressed solidarity with Afghans, offering condolences to families of the victims and prayers for the injured.
Struggle for Survivors
Rescue efforts in Afghanistan remain difficult. Remote mountainous areas were cut off by landslides triggered by aftershocks. Aid workers described dangerous conditions as they attempted to reach isolated villages.
The NGO Save the Children reported that one team walked 20 kilometers on foot, carrying medical supplies with help from community members. The World Food Programme (WFP) shared images of workers climbing steep slopes with food boxes on their shoulders.
Residents in Jalalabad and other nearby cities donated goods, money, and blankets for survivors. “I am a simple laborer, but I wanted to help,” said Mohammad Rahman, who contributed his earnings to relief efforts.
Read: Rawalpindi Principal Arrested in Rape and Abortion Case
Afghan Government’s Response
The Taliban deployed commando forces by helicopter to quake-hit areas where aircraft could not land. Commandos carried survivors out of rubble and helped evacuate the wounded. Officials admitted the operation could take days as terrain and aftershocks complicated access.
Deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat said, “We cannot determine when the operation will finish. The region is very mountainous, and reaching every affected area is extremely difficult.”
More than 12,000 people have been directly affected, according to ActionAid. Women and girls remain particularly vulnerable, facing restrictions that hinder their access to emergency support.
Shrinking Global Support
Afghanistan’s already fragile economy has been further strained by the quake. International funding for relief efforts has drastically declined. The WFP warned that food aid for survivors could run out in four weeks without urgent financial support.
John Aylieff, WFP’s country head, said, “Four weeks is not enough even for the essential needs of those struck by the earthquake. It is certainly not enough to help victims rebuild their lives.”
WFP reported that funding for Afghanistan has dropped sharply—from $1.7 billion in 2022 to less than $300 million this year. Aid groups warn that such shortfalls will leave millions exposed to hunger and poverty.
A Region in Crisis
This was the third major earthquake since the Taliban takeover in 2021. Each disaster has stretched resources thinner. After the U.S. withdrew aid in 2021, Afghanistan’s ability to respond to crises diminished severely.
The United Nations noted that even before the latest quake, it had secured less than one-third of the required funding for operations across the country. The situation has worsened with international reluctance to engage deeply with the Taliban government.
Regional Solidarity
Pakistan’s relief effort underscores its commitment to supporting Afghanistan despite strained relations in recent years. By sending essential supplies, Islamabad aims to ease suffering and show solidarity in times of crisis.
Observers stress that regional cooperation will be vital to addressing humanitarian challenges. Afghanistan, with a population of 42 million, faces compounded struggles from war, poverty, and repeated natural disasters.
Voices from the Ground
Survivors expressed fear and desperation. “Everyone is afraid and there are many aftershocks,” said Awrangzeeb Noori, a resident of Dara-i-Nur in Nangarhar. “We spend all day and night in the field without shelter.”
Aid workers echoed the urgency. Without more resources, they warn, thousands remain at risk of hunger, disease, and exposure. The calls for help grow louder as international funding shrinks and time runs out for the displaced.
Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook,, X and TikTok for latest updates
