India Dispatches Humanitarian Relief to Afghanistan

(MENAFN) India confirmed on Monday that it is providing immediate humanitarian relief to Afghanistan following a devastating 6-magnitude earthquake that struck the region over the weekend.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar conveyed his condolences for the lives lost and extended wishes for a swift recovery to those injured in the disaster.

The earthquake, which struck central Afghanistan on Sunday, has claimed at least 800 lives and injured 2,500 people, wreaking havoc particularly in the eastern provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar.

During a phone conversation with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, Jaishankar confirmed that India is supporting Afghanistan during this challenging period by providing humanitarian aid.

“India has delivered 1000 family tents today in Kabul. 15 tonnes of food material are also being immediately moved by Indian Mission from Kabul to Kunar. Further relief material will be sent from India starting tomorrow,” Jaishankar posted on the US-based social media platform X.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the tragedy, stating he is “deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to the earthquake in Afghanistan.” Modi added, “India stands ready to provide all possible humanitarian aid and relief to those affected,” also on X, while extending hopes for the injured’s speedy recovery.

China also expressed sympathy on Monday, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stating, “our hearts go out to the bereaved families and the injured.” He added, “China will do what it can to provide help in light of Afghanistan’s needs,” affirming that “the Afghan people will recover and rebuild from the disaster.”

Meanwhile, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered condolences, tweeting, “On behalf of the people and Government of Pakistan, I extend my heartfelt condolences & prayers to the bereaved families.” He pledged solidarity and readiness to provide support, writing, “We stand in solidarity with our Afghan brothers & sisters in this hour of grief, and we are ready to extend all possible support in this regard.”

Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also expressed sympathies, with the Foreign Ministry reporting that in a call with Amir Khan Muttaqi, Dar “reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with the Afghan people, and assured readiness to extend all possible support as required by the Afghan side.”

Business leader Mirwais Azizi, head of the Azizi Foundation, announced significant private relief funding, tweeting: “To ensure availability of urgent assistance to the affected people, I am announcing an immediate package worth 500 million Afghanis (nearly $7 million) on behalf of the Azizi Foundation.”

This coordinated regional response underscores the urgent need for aid as Afghanistan grapples with the aftermath of one of its deadliest earthquakes in recent history.

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