Afghanistan Earthquake: Taliban refuses to accept Pakistani aid

The Taliban took the decision amid the deterioration of the relationship between the two neighbouring nations in recent times.

Afghanistan was hit by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake last Saturday, leaving over 2000 people dead.

Pakistan was quick to offer support as Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar announced sending rescue and relief teams along with essential aid. However, the consignment and rescuers were not dispatched to Afghanistan after Kabul refused to give clearance, reported The Express Tribune.

UN agencies are appealing for urgent funds to assist the hundreds of thousands affected by deadly earthquakes in western Afghanistan.

The region was struck by two massive earthquakes on Saturday, followed a series of aftershocks, including a major one on Wednesday that flattened several homes spared by the original quake.

Women and children make up over 90 per cent of the victims, according to UN agencies.

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) on Friday launched a $14.4 million humanitarian appeal to provide shelters, heaters and warm clothes to survivors sleeping out in the open, ahead of the approaching bitter winter.

The UN agency will also provide legal assistance and counselling, including helping recover and process key documents so that households, including refugees and internally displaced returnees, can exercise their civil rights.

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) issued an initial appeal earlier this week for $20 million to deliver emergency and trauma care for newborns and children, repair schools and healthcare facilities, and provide psychosocial and mental health support to children and families.