UN Warns of Potential Cholera Outbreak in Earthquake-Hit Areas of Afghanistan

Kokcha News Agency: The United Nations has raised alarms over the possibility of a cholera outbreak in the earthquake-devastated areas of Afghanistan. According to preliminary findings by OCHA, 92% of those affected by the earthquake are using open spaces as toilets and have no access to clean water or health services. Cholera, an acute intestinal infection caused by contaminated food and water, can be fatal within hours if left untreated.

Shannon O’Hara, head of the strategy unit at OCHA, highlighted the dire situation during a press conference on Monday, urging the international community to respond to the urgent needs of the earthquake victims. “We have seen families whose lives were destroyed in just a few minutes,” she said.

The recent earthquakes in eastern Afghanistan have impacted over 40,000 people and destroyed more than 5,000 homes. O’Hara also pointed out the challenges of reaching affected areas, noting that a 100-kilometer journey took her team over six hours due to difficult terrain. Rescue teams are often forced to walk for hours to reach victims.

O’Hara also addressed the additional vulnerabilities faced by women, girls, children, and people with disabilities, stating, “In recent years, women and girls in Afghanistan have been marginalized. We know from past earthquakes and other crises that women and girls always bear the heaviest burden.”

The UN Population Fund estimates that 11,600 pregnant women have been affected by the disaster. OCHA is working to ensure that women are included in health teams and that more female staff are involved in the distribution of aid, along with nutritional, psychological, and counseling services.

So far, OCHA has distributed ready-to-eat food to 43,000 earthquake survivors. The UN has also provided tents, blankets, and hygiene kits to families. However, humanitarian efforts could be disrupted by heavy rainfall, aftershocks, or winter snow, which is expected to block critical roads.

O’Hara warned, “If we do not act now, these communities may not survive the coming winter.” OCHA has allocated $10 million for essential aid, and an emergency response plan is being finalized. “Without immediate support, there is a risk of an escalating disaster in the coming weeks, with preventable diseases, further displacement, and additional casualties,” O’Hara added.