Four Children Die from Cold in Earthquake Survivor Camp in Afghanistan’s Kunar Province
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reported that four children have died from cold-related respiratory illnesses in the Zari Baba displacement camp in Nurgal district, Kunar province.
According to information provided by UNICEF, the victims include Taqwa, a three-year-old boy; Othmani, a nine-month-old girl from the Shulat valley; and Zakira, a two-and-a-half-year-old girl, along with Abdullah, an eight-month-old boy—both from the Mamagul valley in Nurgal district.
The deaths come three months after a deadly earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, leaving thousands of families homeless and sheltering in temporary camps. The quake killed nearly 2,000 people and completely destroyed hundreds of homes. Survivors are now facing extremely harsh winter conditions.
UNICEF has warned that approximately 270,000 children in the affected provinces are at risk of illnesses that are worsened by severe cold. The organization noted that nighttime temperatures in these areas can drop to as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius.
Tajuddin Oyewale, UNICEF’s representative in Afghanistan, expressed grave concern over the well-being of displaced children and called on the international community to urgently deliver winter aid to prevent further tragedy.
Despite widespread destruction, the Taliban administration has failed to provide adequate relief services. A lack of medical resources, proper shelter, and consistent aid delivery has made conditions for homeless children and families—especially in Kunar—particularly dire.
UNICEF emphasized that any delay in action could further endanger the lives of hundreds more children and urged all partners and donors to step up with immediate support.
