Iran Delivers Additional Humanitarian Aid: Second and Third Shipments Arrive in Afghanistan
The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) has taken significant steps to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghan families impacted by the recent earthquakes. With two major shipments already dispatched, the IRCS is showing its commitment to aiding those in need during this difficult time.
On Saturday, the IRCS delivered its second humanitarian relief consignments to Kabul, which included an impressive collection of essential supplies:
- 37 tons of foodstuffs
- 8 tons of sanitary packages
- 10,000 blankets
In addition to these supplies, the IRCS had previously sent multiple shipments consisting of:
- 80 tons of tents and blankets
- 50 tons of sanitary goods
- 67 tons of foodstuffs
The third shipment, transported on Sunday via six trucks, included vital items such as:
- Tents
- Dishes
- Rice
- Canned food
- Hygiene kits
The urgency of these relief efforts follows a catastrophic event: on August 31, a powerful earthquake measuring over 6 in magnitude struck Afghanistan’s Nangarhar Province, close to the Pakistan border. The quake’s epicenter was located in the Kama district, approximately 30 km northeast of Jalalabad. This earthquake has led to several aftershocks felt across neighboring provinces, including Kunar, Laghman, and Nuristan, as well as in Kabul. The earthquake’s hypocenter was estimated to be only 8 to 10 km beneath the surface, which intensified its devastating impact.
Adding to the tragedy, a second earthquake measuring 5.5 in magnitude hit the region on Tuesday, further destabilizing already vulnerable villages.
According to the spokesman for Afghanistan’s national disaster authority, Mohammad Hammad, the aftershocks resulted in injuries across eight provinces, notably Kunar, Nangarhar, and Laghman—the areas hardest hit during the initial quake. The overall casualty figures reported by the de facto authorities stand at:
- 2,205 fatalities
- 3,640 injuries
Furthermore, an estimated 84,000 individuals have been affected by these earthquakes, with about 6,700 homes destroyed, as reported by UNOCHA.
The head of the IRCS, Pirhossein Kolivand, expressed his condolences in a message to the president of the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS), Shahabuddin Delawa, stating: “It is with profound sorrow that we learned about the devastating earthquake that hit Nangarhar, Kunar, Nuristan, and Laghman in eastern Afghanistan, causing many losses of life and injuries. The Iranian Red Crescent Society offers sincere condolences to you and the family of the victims. We stand by the people of Afghanistan, and we are ready to dispatch humanitarian aid as well as relief teams in case needed.”
President Masoud Pezeshkian also shared his sorrow over the tragedy affecting the “friendly and brotherly” nation of Afghanistan, wishing for a swift recovery for the injured individuals.
In a separate statement, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi conveyed his sympathy to the Afghan people and the families of the victims, emphasizing that Iran is fully prepared to send relief and medical teams to the affected areas. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei reiterated this commitment, stressing that Iran stands ready to assist in the treatment of the injured and collaborate with Afghanistan through regional and joint efforts to alleviate the suffering caused by this disaster.
The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan remains critical, and the efforts of organizations like the IRCS are crucial in providing immediate assistance to those affected by the recent earthquakes. As more information becomes available and relief efforts continue, it is essential for the international community to remain engaged and support these initiatives.
