KABUL (Pajhwok): Condolences poured in from countries and Afghan politicians and aid pledges were made by international organizations on Wednesday as the death toll from a powerful earthquake surpassed 1000 and left hundreds of others injured, with rescuers scrambling for survivors.
A powerful earthquake struck a remote border region of Afghanistan overnight killing at least 1,000 people and injuring hundreds more, officials said on Wednesday, with the toll expected to rise as desperate rescuers dig through collapsed dwellings.
Former President Ashraf Ghani and some other politicians and officials and a number of countries and international organizations expressed sorrow over the precious lives lost and pledged assistance.
India and Pakistan pledged assistance and Iran said it had started dispatching aid, Estonia also expressed sympathy, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the European Union's special envoy to Afghanistan said they were coordinating efforts. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the head of emergency services in Afghanistan say aid groups have been sent to the affected areas.
A number of international organizations and former Afghan officials expressed sympathy with the victims and called for immediate assistance to the affected families.
OCHA expressed condolences and called on international humanitarian agencies to provide assistance to the families of the victims.
European Union's special envoy to Afghanistan Thomas Nicholson also expressed sympathy with the victims and wrote that the European Union was monitoring the situation to coordinate emergency assistance to the families affected by the quake.
UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan also took to Twitter to express his condolences to the families of the victims and said that UNICEF teams had arrived in the area to help the affected families.
Emergency officials in Afghanistan are working to provide medical care to those affected by the quake, said Stefano Sozza, head of emergency services in Afghanistan. Sozza added that their staff and seven ambulances were sent to the area to provide first aid to the victims
Indian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi also expressed sorrow over the casualties and financial losses caused by the earthquake in Afghanistan and wrote: "We share the grief of the people of Afghanistan. We are committed to helping and supporting the Afghans at this time of need.”
Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif also extended his condolences and wrote that his country would do everything possible to help the people of Afghanistan.
Pakistan Awami National Party (ANP) leader Asfandiyar Wali Khan also expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and property in the earthquake and said that his party shares the grief of the Afghan people.
He called on the United Nations and other aid agencies to provide adequate assistance to those affected by the quake.
Pakistan's National Assembly member Mohsin Dawar also expressed deep sorrow over the loss of hundreds of lives and damage caused by the earthquake in Afghanistan and called on countries and international aid agencies to provide assistance to the affected families.
Iranian embassy in Kabul also expressed condolences to the people of Afghanistan over the death toll from the quake, saying it had sent two first aid planes to Afghanistan.
The Estonian Foreign Ministry also took to Twitter to express its condolences to the people of Afghanistan.
Some former Afghan officials and politicians have also expressed sympathy with the quake victims.
Former President Ashraf Ghani also wrote on his Facebook page: "I offer my condolences to the families of the earthquake victims in Paktika, Khost and other provinces of the country. I call on international charities, organizations and individuals inside the country to help the families affected by the earthquake."
Dr. Abdullah, Chairman of the Reconciliation Council of the previous government, former foreign minister Mohammad Hanif Atmar, former Senate chairman Fazal Hadi Muslimyar, former governor Ziaul Haq Amarkhel and former ambassador Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef also expressed sympathy with the quake victims and called on all charities and wealthy Afghans to come to the aid of the victims.
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