Eastern Afghanistan earthquake leaves thousands homeless

Nearly a week after a magnitude 6 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, more than 2,200 people have died and tens of thousands are homeless. Residents of Bambakot and other villages are living under tents, too afraid to return to their damaged homes.

Jabar Khan, 43, owner of a carpet-weaving workshop that employed around 250 women, said the quake and continuing aftershocks have had a serious impact on families and livelihoods in the area.

Villagers have fled to open areas and makeshift shelters, relying primarily on tents and limited humanitarian aid. Meanwhile, U.S.-funded medical supplies remain in storage, awaiting approval from Washington. The U.S. has yet to authorise emergency relief, highlighting the effects of deep foreign aid cuts and the closure of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

With aftershocks continuing, survivors remain exposed, anxious, and struggling for food, shelter, and basic medical care.

Voices from the ground:
Feroza, a local resident, said: “No one brings us bread, so we go to the kitchen in fear. We put onions and tomatoes in the pot, then run out to the open field because the walls above us aren’t safe. We are very frustrated by this situation and end up only eating our bread.”

She added: “About 250 people used to work in our carpet-weaving workshop, where I taught the students their craft. Since the earthquake, none have returned. They are too afraid to come back, as aftershocks continue every hour.”

Jabar Khan said: “We left our homes and moved under tents, but so far we haven’t received any help. Since there were no deaths or serious injuries, only financial losses, our situation has largely been overlooked.”

Humanitarian aid teams are setting up tents in Nurgal district and distributing them to quake victims.

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