Kabul: UN Secretary General Antinio Guterres expressed late Monday solidarity with Afghanistan over the devastating earthquake, which hit the country's eastern province, asserting that an initial aid appeal was underway to help those affected.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Guterres shared his sincere condolences with the people of Afghanistan and those who died in the natural disaster, expressing wishes of speedy recovery for those wounded. He affirmed that the UN and partners would work with Afghanistan to evaluate the situation and provide what was necessary for the country to overcome this tragic event.
He revealed, "An emergency appeal is being developed by the United Nations and our partners, and an initial $5 million from the UN's emergency fund CERF has been released." Guterres warned that the current level of humanitarian funding was not enough, calling for more contribution for urgent humanitarian response.
The earthquake, which struck Afghanistan late Sunday, had killed around 812 people and injured around 2,800 others with the numbers likely to rise.