Australia Pledges $1 Million Aid For Afghanistan's Quake Survivors

Australia has pledged $1 million in emergency funding to support victims of the deadly earthquake in Afghanistan's Kunar province, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) announced on Thursday.

The funds will be channeled through the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund, which coordinates international relief efforts. According to OCHA, the earthquake has further worsened an already severe crisis, with half of Afghanistan's population in urgent need of assistance.

The Australian government emphasized that its aid will be delivered exclusively through UN agencies and humanitarian partners, ensuring that relief reaches affected communities without passing through Taliban authorities.

Canberra underscored its ongoing commitment to the Afghan people, noting that since 2021 it has provided more than $260 million in humanitarian assistance, with a particular focus on women and girls.

Officials said the new pledge reflects Australia's broader support for multilateral relief operations and its recognition of the urgent needs facing families in Kunar and neighboring provinces.

International aid flows are slowly increasing, with several countries announcing donations to help earthquake-stricken regions. Still, aid workers warn that the scale of destruction and the remoteness of many villages require sustained global support.

Australia's latest commitment highlights the importance of international solidarity in responding to Afghanistan's humanitarian emergencies. With resources inside the country severely limited, foreign funding and expertise remain vital lifelines for survivors.

Aid agencies stress that long-term recovery will depend not only on immediate relief but also on consistent engagement from the international community to strengthen Afghanistan's resilience against future crises.

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