According to the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s announcement on Tuesday, the United States would provide Afghanistan immediate assistance amounting $55 million in response to the devastating earthquake that struck last week in a remote part of the country’s southeast.
The high magnitude earthquake that hit the region close to the Afghanistan’s border with Pakistan on June 22 left at least 1,000 people dead, over 3,000 more wounded, and 10,000 homes in ruins.
According to a statement from Blinken, the new US aid will be used to provide cooking equipment, water water containers, blankets, clothing, and other items, including hygienic supplies to stop an outbreak of waterborne diseases, to those affected by the calamity.
In a tweet, secretary Blinken stated on Tuesday, 28th June, “The U.S. will provide additional humanitarian assistance of nearly $55 million to Afghans affected by the June 22 earthquake. Our support to the Afghan people in working with USAID and partners is vital during this difficult time.”
He stated that the earthquake “intensified the ongoing humanitarian crisis that the Afghan people have long endured.”
After the UN issued an emergency plea for $110 million to support more than 360,000 Afghans devastated by last week’s earthquake in the provinces of Paktika and Khost, the US announcement came merely hours later.
In addition to causing deaths and injuries, the earthquake also destroyed homes, hospitals, schools, and water networks, leaving thousands of people vulnerable to more suffering, according to the UN statement.
