Earthquake in Afghanistan adds death, destruction to other challenges in country, says UN refugee chief
Filippo Grandi expresses hope that donor community would support relief efforts
ISTANBUL
The UN refugee chief said Monday that the recent earthquake in Afghanistan adds death and destruction to other challenges in country.
"A major earthquake has caused many casualties in Afghanistan. This adds death and destruction to other challenges including drought and the forced return of millions of Afghans from neighboring countries," UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi wrote on US social media company X.
He expressed hope that the donor community would support relief efforts.
The death toll from a 6.0 magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday, when most of the residents were asleep, has climbed to 800, as rescue operations continue, officials and local media reported Monday.
The death toll is likely to rise as many people are feared trapped under the rubble, according to officials.
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