Poll: Global Aid to Quake Victims in Afghanistan Insufficient

DID Press: The latest survey conducted by DID Press indicates that a majority of respondents view international assistance to victims of the recent earthquake in eastern Afghanistan as inadequate in terms of volume, timeliness, and coordination. Only one-fifth of participants said the aid was delivered promptly and in line with actual needs.

The deadly earthquake that struck Afghanistan’s eastern provinces caused widespread destruction and displaced thousands of families, prompting a wave of international aid. However, according to the survey, public perceptions of the relief effort have been largely negative.

The poll offered participants four options to assess international aid:

Sufficient and timely: 20 percent of respondents said global aid addressed part of the immediate needs of victims at the right time.

Insufficient and below actual needs: 40 percent described the volume of assistance as disproportionate to the scale of the crisis.

Merely symbolic or for publicity: None of the participants selected this option, suggesting that the principle of aid delivery is widely acknowledged.

Slow and poorly coordinated: Another 40 percent criticized delays and a lack of coordination between domestic and international agencies.

Overall, 80 percent of respondents questioned the quality and effectiveness of international assistance. They stressed that beyond the volume of aid, weaknesses in coordination, crisis management, and response speed significantly undermined the impact of the relief efforts.