Cabinet stresses emergency aid for quake victims

KABUL (Pajhwok): An emergency meeting of the cabinet on Wednesday discussed relief for the earthquake-hit people in southeastern Paktika and Khost provinces.

More than 900 people were killed and over 600 others wounded in the predawn earthquake in Afghanistan, where scores of houses were also destroyed.

Earlier, the state-run Bakhtar News Agency reported at least 280 people were killed and 600 more wounded in Birmal, Zherok, Naki and Gayan districts of Paktika.

Zabihullah Mujahid, government spokesman, tweeted: “An emergency cabinet meeting was held in the Arg, chaired by Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund.”

The meeting expressed condolences to relatives of the quake victims and directed all departments concerned to send emergency relief teams to the affected areas.

Mujahid wrote measures were discussed at the meeting to ensure the effective medical treatment of the injured and delivery of cash assistance to the families of the victims.

The meeting recommended the use of air and ground transportation of food, clothing, medicine and other necessities, as well as the evacuation of the injured.

sa/mud

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