Earthquake in Eastern Afghanistan: Over 500,000 People Affected, Including 263,000 Children
Approximately 500,000 people, more than half of whom are children, have been affected by the earthquake that struck the mountainous Hindu Kush region in eastern Afghanistan, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported on Monday. "500,000 people have been affected by the disaster, including 263,000 children," the UN agency specified in a statement. These figures highlight the "disproportionate impact of the earthquake on children and the urgent need to provide them with protection and essential services." On August 31, a 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit the region, 27 km southwest of the city of Assadâbâd. Powerful aftershocks razed several villages entirely. According to the latest official data, the disaster has claimed over 2,200 lives and injured 3,600 people.
