OCHA reports persistent challenges for 2022 earthquake victims in southeastern Afghanistan

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has indicated that survivors of the earthquakes that struck southeastern Afghanistan in 2022 are continuing to experience problems in fulfilling their basic requirements. This situation persists in provinces such as Paktika and Khost even after four years have passed since the disaster.

During a visit to Giyan district located in Paktika, Olga Cheryko, the head of the Public Information, Advocacy and Information Management Unit for OCHA in Afghanistan, observed that some humanitarian aid has reached the victims. However, she stressed that achieving sustainable recovery will require ongoing support and further investment in the region.

Services available to residents in these affected areas are described as very limited, making it hard for people to access essential items and assistance. Cheryko also pointed out that the current budget allocated for humanitarian aid is at a worryingly low level, which could hinder progress toward stability.

The earthquake, which registered a magnitude of 5.9, occurred in June of 2022 and led to more than one thousand deaths along with injuries numbering between one thousand five hundred and three thousand. Thousands more were left without homes as a result of the event.

OCHA has urged that real action be taken through sustained international assistance to address the remaining gaps and promote long-term recovery for the impacted communities.