Foreign Minister Penny Wong says humanitarian aid will be provided to UN agencies working in areas of Afghanistan affected by the devastating earthquake.
The magnitude-6.1 quake that hit the east of the country early on Wednesday destroyed or damaged 10,000 homes and injured about 2,000 people, straining the country's fragile health system.
While humanitarian aid continues to flow to Afghanistan, funds needed for longer-term development were halted when the Taliban seized control of the country in August 2021 as foreign forces withdrew. She added that the US Agency for International Development was providing assistance with humanitarian organisations.Asked about the issue, Mr Balkhi said Afghans' right to life-saving funds should be the priority, adding that the international community handled concerns over human rights differently depending on the country involved.
Senator Wong's statement said that Australia's aid would be delivered through United Nations agencies already operating in the affected area and would "towards providing shelter, food and medical support for those in need"."The Australian government extend[s] its deepest condolences to the people of Afghanistan, and the Afghan-Australian community," the statement said.
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