Markus Potzel, acting head of UNAMA, and Sirajuddin Haqqani, Interior Minister, together in Khost province stressed the need to provide aid for families affected by the latest earthquakes across southeastern provinces.

The gathering was attended by tribal elders and earthquake-affected families, and Markus Potzel said that UNAMA will construct shelters for the nearly 2,000 families.

“Let me express the deep condolences of the international community for the victims of earthquakes and floods which affected the provinces of Khost, Paktika, and we are willing, as UNAMA and UN, to do whatever we can to work with the de facto government to relieve the pain and obvious harm the people have suffered,” said Markus Potzel.

“I do not have donor funding to repair this all, but I am looking for it, because I know …. this place is in a very bad condition,” said Ramiz Alakbrov, a UNAMA official.

Sirajuddin Haqqani urged the acting head of UNAMA and his companions to send professional teams of geologists to investigate the affected areas in Gayan and Barmal districts of Paktika.

“The international specialists should be called to come and investigate whether the areas are appropriate to live or not. The residents are worried. Humanitarian aid is good, but the construction work (building houses) might not benefit us,” said Sirajuddin Haqqani.

Tribal elders asked for a professional geological assessment of the area.