Save the Children has recently announced that last Sunday night’s deadly earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has affected more than 260,000 children.
In a report, the organization stated that 280 children have been left without parents as a result of the earthquake, while continuous aftershocks have terrified those who lost their homes and families.
The report further said that the earthquake destroyed more than 5,000 houses, forcing families to sleep either in tents or in the open air.
Save the Children also emphasized that some of these families are using old rice sacks as bedding.
The report quoted Samira Syed Rahman, Advocacy Manager of Save the Children in Afghanistan, as saying:
“With homes destroyed and many relatives and loved ones killed or injured, children are bearing the heavy burden of loss. The aftershocks constantly remind them of the terror they experienced during the earthquake.”
She added: “In just a few seconds, everything was taken away from thousands of children. Every family I saw in Kunar had lost several members. This is a horrific time for children. The fear and grief they carry will not disappear with the clearing of debris.”
One earthquake survivor in Kunar told Save the Children: “In our village, there are families who have lost 11 members. Another neighbor lost 15, and yet another lost five. We have many families like these.”
The advocacy manager of Save the Children said the organization is providing urgent mental health support to children, but immediate and sustained funding is required, and donors must act now.
She stressed that the lives and future of children in Kunar depend on the help and action of the international community.
The 6.0-magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan on Sunday night caused the most casualties and destruction in Kunar province.
According to the interim government’s figures, 2,205 people lost their lives and 3,640 others were injured in Kunar.
Government officials also announced that 6,782 houses were destroyed in Kunar due to the earthquake.
