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Key Points

Rescue operations in Afghanistan's earthquake-hit provinces are facing severe challenges due to landslides and communication breakdowns. The United Nations reports that access to affected areas remains extremely limited in the critical first 24 hours. Meanwhile, Afghanistan's tiny Hindu and Sikh communities are mobilizing resources to provide relief to victims. India has already sent substantial aid including tents and food supplies while the Taliban regime appeals for international assistance.

Key Points: Afghan Quake Rescue Hindered by Landslides and Connectivity Issues

  • Rescue teams face blocked roads from earthquake-triggered landslides
  • Communication failures hamper coordination of humanitarian efforts
  • Afghan Hindu and Sikh communities pool resources for relief
  • India dispatches 1,000 tents and 15 tons of food supplies
2 min read

Rescue teams face challenges in quake-hit Afghan provinces

UN reports major challenges in Afghan earthquake relief efforts as landslides block roads and communication fails. Hindu and Sikh communities mobilize aid for affected provinces.

"Access was very limited - United Nations officials"

New Delhi, Sep 3

Communication and connectivity issues are major challenges being faced by humanitarian aid workers in the earthquake-hit provinces of Afghanistan, according to the United Nations.

Meanwhile, members of the Hindu and Sikh communities from Afghanistan have pooled in their resources to send relief material for the earthquake-affected victims in the eastern provinces of the country, added reports.

Manjit Singh Lambe, the president of the Council of Hindu and Sikh Minorities of Afghanistan, told Pajhwok news that the Sikhs of Afghanistan, in coordination with the diaspora residing abroad and the World Hindu Association, have sent humanitarian aid for the earthquake victims.

Among cities witnessing the devastation is Jalalabad, once visited by Sikh Guru Nanak Ji. The city houses Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar. There are no exact numbers available for Hindus and Sikhs currently living in Afghanistan.

According to the European Union Agency for Asylum, against a number of over seven lakh in the 70s, approximately 150 were left at the end of 2021.

A post on the website of the organisation of Sikhs and Hindus of Afghanistan says that in 2019, the now-dissolved Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan recorded 1,105 Sikh and Hindu voters across the country. Of them, 759 were in Kabul, 342 in Nangarhar province, and only four in Helmand.

Meanwhile, fearing that hundreds of thousands could be impacted, United Nations officials on the ground said that in the first critical 24 hours after the earthquake hit on Sunday, access was “very limited”.

Relief and rescue work were hampered owing to landslides and rockfalls triggered by the tremors. Some roads were already blocked by previous rockslides caused by recent heavy rainfall.

The region has since experienced several aftershocks. The first earthquake, measuring six on the Richter scale, struck areas close to the Pakistan border on Sunday.

Two days later, another 5.2-magnitude quake struck again.

The Taliban regime, facing sanctions and aid cuts, has appealed to the global community for assistance.

Till now, though as many as 40 countries are in conversation with Kabul, only Russia has granted recognition to the regime.

India has already dispatched humanitarian aid, including 1,000 tents and 15 tons of food supplies. New Delhi has assured Kabul of continuing its assistance in providing medicines and food supplies.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh Q
The resilience of Afghan Sikhs and Hindus is inspiring. Even with such small numbers left, they're helping their fellow citizens. This is true seva.
M
Michael C
Communication breakdowns after disasters cost lives. International community needs better coordination systems for such emergencies. The terrain makes everything harder.
A
Ananya R
From 7 lakh to just 150 Hindus/Sikhs? That statistic is shocking and sad. Glad they're still contributing to relief efforts despite their small numbers.
S
Suresh O
India's response has been good but we should also send technical teams and medical personnel, not just supplies. The first 72 hours are critical for rescue.
K
Kavya N
Jalalabad has Guru Nanak's historical connection. Hope the gurdwara there is safe. Natural disasters don't discriminate - all affected need help regardless of religion.

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