UN: People in Northern Afghanistan Faced Poverty Even Before the Earthquake

Photo: AP Photo/Sirat Noor

The United Nations has said that residents of northern Afghanistan were already suffering from chronic poverty, drought, and a lack of basic services even before the recent earthquake.

Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, said in a recent press briefing: “Even before this earthquake, people in the region were struggling with drought, chronic poverty, and limited access to basic services following the return of more than two million migrants.”

He added that the United Nations, in coordination with humanitarian agencies, is assessing the damage and organising immediate assistance for those affected.

According to him, according to initial reports, the earthquake that struck northern Afghanistan early Monday (November 3) left at least 20 people dead and more than 900 others injured.

Haq emphasised that Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis remains severe and that UN relief programmes face a critical funding shortage. He said that of the US$2.4 billion requested for humanitarian aid, only one-third has been secured, leaving a shortfall of more than US$1.5 billion.