Russia sends humanitarian aid to Afghanistan after deadly quake

Russia said Friday it had sent a cargo plane of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan following last weekend's powerful quake that authorities say killed at least 2,200 people.

The disaster has deepened an already severe humanitarian crisis, with some countries, including the United States, reluctant to provide aid to the country under the Taliban.

Moscow earlier this year became the first country to officially recognise the Taliban government following their 2021 takeover.

Russia's emergency situations ministry said it had delivered 20 tonnes of food to Kabul for people affected by the quake.

"On the instructions of the president of the Russian Federation, a second batch of humanitarian aid is planned to be sent in the near future," it added in a statement on social media.

The World Health Organization warned that local healthcare services were "under immense strain", with shortages of trauma supplies, medicines and staff.

Filippo Grandi, head of the United Nations refugee agency, said the quake had "affected more than 500,000 people" in eastern Afghanistan.

The loss of US foreign aid to the country in January this year has strained aid organisations already facing dwindling funding to Afghanistan.

AFP