WHO committed to supporting Afghan quake victims

KABUL (Pajhwok): World Health Organization (WHO) officials have reaffirmed the organization’s continued support for families affected by the recent earthquake in eastern Afghanistan.

In a statement, WHO said its Afghanistan representative, Edwin Ceniza Salvador, visited Anderlach village of Kunar with a high-level UN delegation led by Indrika Ratwatte, UN deputy special representative, to assess victims’ needs.

It said Salvador visited the WHO-supported emergency primary health care center in Anderlach and, in meetings with elders, partners and local officials, emphasized support for affected families and commitment to maintaining life-saving health services.

“Our priority is ensuring every affected family has access to urgent healthcare. WHO will remain with the Afghan people until services are restored and livelihoods rebuilt,” Salvador said.

Yesterday, UN-Habitat stressed the urgent start of rebuilding houses destroyed by the recent earthquake in eastern Afghanistan.

The earthquake killed 2,205 people and injured 3,640 in Kunar, 12 in Nangarhar and 80 in Laghman, while 6,782 houses were destroyed, according to government figures.

hz/ma