Japan, UN Pledge Support after Deadly Northern Afghanistan Quake

DID Press: Following a 6.3-magnitude earthquake in northern Afghanistan, the embassies of Iran, Japan, and the UN issued separate messages expressing condolences and emphasizing timely humanitarian assistance.

Last night, northern Afghanistan experienced an earthquake that affected Samangan, Balkh, and Baghlan provinces, resulting in human casualties and financial losses. This earthquake comes only a few weeks after a deadly quake in the east of the country, raising concerns about the condition of previous victims and the country’s crisis-management capacity.

After this deadly natural disaster, the UN stressed its support for the earthquake-affected population, announcing that its teams and partners are present in the affected areas to assess needs and provide urgent assistance.

Kenichi Masamoto, Japan’s ambassador to Afghanistan, also expressed deep sorrow over the earthquake and conveyed his sympathy to the affected families, saying Japan is ready to provide necessary support to those impacted.

Earlier, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran had also announced it is ready to assist earthquake-stricken communities in the north.

The earthquake caused damage to infrastructure and financial losses to residential homes and public facilities. The exact number of casualties and extent of damage are still being assessed; however, local officials and humanitarian agencies have warned that remote areas are in urgent need of assistance.

Local authorities and international organizations are coordinating to deliver essential aid, medical supplies, and necessary items to the affected population. With the onset of the cold season, providing shelter and heating for those impacted remains a top priority in relief efforts.