Kabul, October 1 (NationPress) The United Nations has raised alarms regarding an ongoing internet blackout in Afghanistan, which is severely impacting earthquake relief efforts. Survivors located in remote areas are now isolated from much-needed aid, financial services, and essential humanitarian coordination, according to local media reports from Wednesday.

UN aid agencies have confirmed that the internet disruption has critically hampered attempts to assist those affected by the catastrophic earthquakes that struck Afghanistan in August, as reported by Afghan news agency Khaama Press.

On Tuesday, the UN's humanitarian coordinator in Afghanistan, Indrika Ratwatte, stated that all telephone and fiber-optic services have been terminated “until further notice,” preventing people from accessing online media.

This shutdown has left relief teams working in mountainous areas unable to communicate with central offices, making it nearly impossible to deliver aid to earthquake survivors. Ratwatte noted that displaced individuals in Kunar, many of whom live in remote mountainous regions, are facing dire situations without timely assistance.

The internet blackout has also disrupted health services and financial systems, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis for already vulnerable populations. Ratwatte emphasized that international money transfers, local banking operations, and other critical community services have come to a standstill due to the internet outage.

The UN has urgently called for the restoration of communications, warning that humanitarian organizations, devoid of internet connectivity, cannot provide life-saving support to the most vulnerable individuals in Afghanistan. Officials cautioned that the internet blackout not only hampers earthquake recovery but also threatens to further escalate economic and social challenges in Afghanistan in the upcoming weeks.

On Monday, flights and communications were disrupted following the internet blackout, raising concerns about transportation, trade, and the worsening humanitarian and economic crisis within the country.

Flights to Afghanistan were halted on Monday evening, leaving passengers stranded at Dubai International Airport as a result of the nationwide internet blackout, according to Khaama Press.

Images circulating on social media depicted individuals waiting in congested terminals, uncertain about when flights would resume to Afghanistan. This disruption caused widespread frustration and anxiety among travelers.

Afghans living abroad were unable to reach their loved ones in Afghanistan due to the internet shutdown, heightening fears about the evolving situation in the country. Analysts noted that the internet outage not only disrupts travel but also raises concerns regarding communication, trade, and the functioning of businesses and households in Afghanistan.