By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed Wednesday that no Filipinos were reported dead or injured in the powerful magnitude 6 earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan on Aug. 31.
The DFA said there is at least seven Filipino nationals in Afghanistan, all of whom are based in or around Kabul.
“As of this time, there are no reports of Filipino casualties or injuries. No Filipino nationals are known to be in evacuation centers, and no evacuation orders have been issued,” the agency said.
The provinces of Kunar, Nangarhar, and Laghman in Afghanistan appeared to be the most severely affected, the agency added.
The Philippine Embassy in Islamabad, which has jurisdiction over Afghanistan, remains in contact with nationals in Kabul and is verifying the condition of the others.
The powerful tremor, with epicenter some 27 kilometers northeast of Jalalabad, has left more than 800 dead and at least 2,000 injured, but the United Nations said the total impact could be in the “hundreds of thousands.”
Currently, access to the affected provinces is complicated due to road blockages caused by landslides and difficult terrain, which are impacting the speed of humanitarian assistance.
“The Philippine Embassy in Islamabad will continue to monitor the situation closely by coordinating with Afghan authorities and issue a follow-up advisory should developments require,” the DFA said. (PNA)
