US Aid Stalls as Afghanistan Quake Survivors Wait for Relief

Nearly a week after a devastating earthquake claimed more than 2,200 lives in Afghanistan and left tens of thousands without shelter, the United States has yet to take the first formal step toward authorizing emergency assistance. It remains unclear whether any help will be forthcoming, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation.

The disaster, one of the deadliest quakes to strike Afghanistan in recent years, has highlighted the absence of a US relief response. Deep cuts to foreign aid and the closure of the country’s primary foreign assistance agency have left Washington without its traditional mechanisms for rapid humanitarian action. The US Agency for International Development was officially closed earlier this week.

While the State Department issued a public message of condolence on Monday, officials have not approved a declaration of humanitarian need a move that typically occurs within 24 hours of a major disaster and is required to unlock emergency relief. Sources say both the State Department and the White House have reviewed recommendations for aid but have opted not to reverse the current policy of halting assistance to Afghanistan.

Until this year, the United States was Afghanistan’s largest donor, providing hundreds of millions of dollars in humanitarian support. That funding was cut in April, with the administration citing concerns over money reaching the Taliban. Officials have reiterated that no aid will be provided if there is a risk it could benefit the current regime.

International organizations warn that the delay is compounding an already dire situation. The United Nations’ humanitarian chief described the earthquake as another blow to a country where funding cuts have already halted critical health and nutrition programs, grounded supply flights to remote areas, and forced aid agencies to scale back operations.

Meanwhile, $105,000 worth of US-funded medical supplies including stethoscopes, first aid kits, and stretchers remain in storage, awaiting approval for release. Humanitarian advocates say they cannot recall another instance in recent memory when the US failed to respond to a disaster of this scale.

For survivors facing homelessness, injury, and the threat of further aftershocks, the wait for help continues.