Afghanistan Earthquake Response Hampered by Pre-Existing Medical Supply shortages
Kunar adn Nangarhar provinces, Afghanistan - Teh devastating earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan on August 31st is being met with a critical shortage of medical supplies, exacerbating an already dire situation for victims. Doctors on the ground warned that hospitals were operating at full capacity before the 6.0 magnitude quake, and previous funding cuts had already left hundreds of thousands without adequate medical access.
The earthquake, recorded at 23:47 local time with a hypocenter just 8 kilometers deep, has resulted in at least 2,205 confirmed deaths, over 3,640 injuries, and the complete destruction of approximately 6,700 homes, primarily impacting the provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar. The shallow depth of the quake amplified its destructive power,particularly against the region’s vulnerable adobe housing. This disaster arrives amidst a pre-existing healthcare crisis, leaving aid organizations struggling to meet the immense needs of the affected population.
“They were already working at full performance before earthquake,” stated Dr. Fazal Hadi, from doctors Without Borders, in a recent interview with Efe.He also noted the urgent need for basic supplies, stating that toilets “needed supplies.”
International aid is arriving, with the World Health Organization (WHO) delivering 23 tons of medical supplies to eight health centers and mobilizing an additional 36 tons from Dubai. Organizations like Doctors Without Borders (MSF) are distributing traumatology kits to overwhelmed hospitals. However, the scale of the devastation and the difficulties accessing remote areas are substantially hindering the delivery of aid.
