Kabul, Oct 6 (NationPress) The United Nations has urgently requested humanitarian support for the many families affected by the earthquake in Afghanistan's eastern Kunar province as winter approaches, according to reports from local media.

In a statement issued on Monday, Indrika Ratwatte, the UN humanitarian coordinator in Afghanistan, emphasized the critical need for appropriate shelter for survivors of the earthquake. He highlighted the necessity for swift emergency assistance to mitigate further suffering as the harsh winter nears, as reported by the Afghan news agency Khaama Press.

He also noted the pressing requirement for clean and safe drinking water in the affected regions, indicating that many residents are experiencing severe shortages. Initial assessments suggest that over 6,000 homes have been destroyed in Kunar due to the powerful seismic event, rendering thousands homeless and vulnerable to the approaching elements.

The UN further reported that nearly 500,000 people across Afghanistan's eastern provinces have been impacted by the recent earthquakes, with many needing food, shelter, medical assistance, and psychological support. Humanitarian organizations are concerned that the worsening cold and restricted access to aid could exacerbate the crisis in mountainous areas like Kunar, where many displaced individuals are residing in makeshift shelters.

The UN has called on international donors and humanitarian organizations to bolster their contributions, warning that without immediate measures, countless vulnerable individuals could face life-threatening situations in the forthcoming months.

In a related incident, Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported that 721 families have been affected by recent rainfall and flash floods across three provinces in Afghanistan - Kabul, Laghman, and Kapisa, according to local media.

The NDMA spokesperson, Mohammad Younus Hamad, indicated that numerous homes have been either completely or partially destroyed, over 1,000 acres of agricultural land have been lost, and fruit farmers have sustained significant losses, as reported by Afghanistan-based Tolo News. He also mentioned that several kilometers of roads have been damaged in various locations and that 3,000 chickens perished in a poultry farm.

Furthermore, Afghanistan's Meteorological Department has issued warnings that 17 provinces are at risk of heavy rainfall, strong winds, lightning, and potential flooding in the upcoming days.