GENEVA, Sept 7 — The number of victims from earthquakes in Afghanistan is expected to rise in the coming days, as new tremors have caused additional road destruction and landslides, complicating rescue efforts.
This is according to Joy Singhal, the head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) delegation in Afghanistan, Sputnik/RIA Novosti reported.
Approximately 40 mobile medical and rescue teams are currently operating in Afghanistan, while local authorities have allocated several helicopters to evacuate people to nearby hospitals, Singhal said.
However, these efforts are not sufficient to address the crisis, as the teams are not able to reach all affected locations.
Due to a lack of funding, Singhal said IFRC teams in Afghanistan have been forced to reduce staff and disband some volunteers. He urged for the provision of additional personnel and medical equipment.
"The issue is not only about the post-earthquake recovery but also about the future liveability of these areas, as many families have lost their livestock, and drinking water sources have been damaged, with homes being destroyed," he said.
Singhal also urged the entire international community to support Afghanistan.
While more and more people arrive in Afghanistan from Pakistan and Iran, the population of the country faces issues like malnutrition and extreme levels of food insecurity, which creates additional vulnerability and challenges for humanitarian workers, he said.
A 6.0 magnitude earthquake shook eastern Afghanistan around midnight on August 31, followed by several aftershocks.
On Thursday, the Ariana News portal reported that the death toll from the earthquake in Afghanistan exceeded 2,200, with over 3,600 people injured.
