India Extends Humanitarian Hand to Quake-Stricken Afghanistan

Eastern Afghanistan was plunged into chaos after two powerful earthquakes struck within 48 hours, leaving behind widespread destruction and human tragedy. The first quake, registering between 6.0 and 6.3 magnitude, struck late on September 1 near Jalalabad in Nangarhar Province, with its shallow depth intensifying the devastation. The tremors were followed by severe aftershocks measuring up to 5.5, compounding the disaster and spreading fear among survivors. Remote mountainous regions in Nangarhar, Kunar, Laghman, and Nuristan bore the brunt, where access has been hampered by landslides, flooding, and damaged infrastructure.

The quake’s epicentre was in Kama district of Nangarhar Province, near the border with Pakistan.(Photo: X/@MEAIndia) | India Today

A Mounting Human Tragedy

The scale of destruction is staggering. Official figures confirm that more than 1,400 people have lost their lives, while over 3,000 have been injured. Homes, schools, and community centers have crumbled, displacing tens of thousands. According to United Nations assessments, nearly 12,000 people have been directly affected, with 5,400 homes completely destroyed. For families already enduring a harsh economic and humanitarian crisis, the earthquake has stripped away what little security they had left. Aid workers warn that the death toll could rise further as many villages remain inaccessible and survivors trapped under rubble await rescue.

India’s Swift and Substantial Response

Amid this crisis, India has moved quickly to extend a helping hand to Afghanistan. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar personally spoke with Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, expressing condolences and assuring New Delhi’s readiness to stand by the Afghan people. On September 2, India dispatched its first consignment of 1,000 family tents along with 15 tonnes of food supplies from its Kabul mission to quake-hit areas of Kunar Province.

The support intensified on September 3, when India airlifted 21 tonnes of comprehensive relief materials to Kabul. This shipment included blankets, tents, hygiene kits, medicines, portable water purifiers, generators, sleeping bags, and essential household goods. Photographs shared by the Ministry of External Affairs highlighted trucks laden with rice, utensils, and sanitation kits, underscoring India’s commitment to immediate humanitarian relief. Dr. Jaishankar reaffirmed that India would continue monitoring the ground situation and send more aid in the coming days.

International Relief Efforts and Challenges

India is not alone in responding to Afghanistan’s urgent call for help. Neighboring Iran delivered 80 tonnes of flour and cooking oil, while the United Kingdom pledged USD 1.3 million and the European Union promised USD 1.16 million along with 130 tonnes of relief goods. Aid has also begun flowing in from China, Turkey, the UAE, Switzerland, and Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region. Yet despite these contributions, the United Nations warns that food assistance may run out within a month unless fresh funding is secured. The World Food Programme has already raised concerns about shortages, urging the international community to act before winter worsens the crisis.

Meanwhile, the Taliban government has deployed commandos and helicopters to remote areas in a desperate bid to reach survivors. Emergency camps have been set up, but access to quake-hit villages remains dangerously limited. Rescuers face blocked mountain roads, ongoing aftershocks, and a shortage of critical medical supplies, making relief operations a daunting challenge.

India’s Tradition of Regional Solidarity

India’s proactive response to the Afghan tragedy reflects a long-standing tradition of humanitarian assistance in South Asia. From its multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects in Afghanistan to major disaster relief missions like Operation Maitri in Nepal (2015), India has consistently played a leadership role in regional crises. Its efforts in Afghanistan now are especially significant given the fragile political and humanitarian landscape, symbolizing solidarity that transcends political boundaries.

The MGMM Outlook

The devastating twin earthquakes in eastern Afghanistan have brought unimaginable suffering to a nation already struggling with poverty and instability. With over 1,400 lives lost, thousands injured, and entire villages flattened, the tragedy has left families without homes, food, or basic security. In remote provinces like Nangarhar, Kunar, Laghman, and Nuristan, landslides and blocked roads have made rescue efforts extremely difficult, leaving survivors to wait desperately for relief. International aid is arriving, but the scale of destruction far outweighs the immediate assistance, and the threat of hunger, disease, and displacement looms as winter approaches.

In this dark hour, India has stood firmly by the Afghan people, responding with remarkable speed and compassion. From tents and food supplies to medicines, hygiene kits, and portable water purifiers, India’s aid reflects not just a neighborly gesture but a continuation of its humanitarian commitment to the region. This effort, rooted in India’s long-standing tradition of regional solidarity, goes beyond politics and embodies a sense of shared humanity. At a time when Afghanistan faces isolation and uncertainty, India’s support serves as a lifeline of hope, reaffirming the values of compassion and responsibility in the face of crisis.

(Sources: India Today, Hindustan Times, Newsonair)