In an aftermath of the powerful earthquake, a senior Taliban delegation led by deputy prime minister for economic affairs Abdul Ghani, had visited the quake-hit Herat province in Afghanistan on Monday.
The 6.3 magnitude quake and series of aftershocks that followed claimed the lives of 2,400 people so far. It is one of the deadliest temblors to strike the nation in two decades.
Survivors recall the horror of the earthquake. People have been digging with their bare hands and shovels to pull victims both dead and alive from under the rubble.
However, the global response to the earthquake was slow as many countries were apprehensive dealing with the Taliban government. Even the Israel-Gaza war also shifted the focus as well.
The aid agencies and the non-governmental groups have appealed to the international community for support. Only handful of countries including China and Pakistan has publicly announced help.
Aid group CARE USA said in a statement that the quake struck at a time when Afghanistan was already facing a severe humanitarian crisis that was significantly under-funded while needs are increasing rapidly.
“The fast-approaching winter, combined with this new disaster, is likely to exacerbate the existing challenges and make it even more difficult for people to meet their basic needs, like adequate shelter, food, and medicine,” it said.
Irfanullah Sharafzai, a spokesman for the Afghan Red Crescent Society, said more than 20 teams were on the ground and have set up a temporary camp for the displaced.
Our colleagues and their families are processing this devastation in their hometowns, and yet we are responding with everything we have, said Thamindri de Silva, the head of the Afghanistan office of the charity.
"People need urgent medical care, water, food, shelter and help to stay safe. Please stand with us as we respond,” he added.
The U.N.'s humanitarian office has announced $5 million worth of assistance for the quake response, but immediate material support has come from a limited few countries.
(With agency inputs)