Spanish
The de facto Taliban government publicly thanked this Monday for the humanitarian aid sent by dozens of countries to alleviate the effects of last week's devastating earthquake in Afghanistan, a list that includes Spain, as well as powers such as the United States, China or Russia.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan expresses its gratitude to the governments of various countries, international organizations, and human rights bodies for their messages of condolence and solidarity, as well as for humanitarian assistance," they indicated with a statement.
The list includes neighbors and allies such as Iran, Pakistan, and Qatar, as well as the European Union, France, and Spain, as well as Western powers with which they maintain a relationship of hostility, such as the United States and the United Kingdom.
The Spanish Government, through the Spanish Agency for Cooperation (Aecid), allocated an initial aid of half a million euros for the victims. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this contribution is channeled through the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.
The unusual diplomatic gesture by the Taliban, disseminated on their social media, is significant because it occurs in a context of profound international isolation. Since their takeover in 2021, the regime has not been officially recognized by any country in the world and operates under severe sanctions.
The catastrophe has left more than 2,200 dead, more than 3,600 injured, and nearly 7,000 homes destroyed, hitting a nation where almost half the population already depended on aid to survive.
Afghanistan's ability to respond to the catastrophe is critically compromised by a severe shortage on all fronts. Doctors in the affected area have warned of a lack of "essential medicines", trauma kits, and blood products, a deficiency confirmed by UN reports revealing that more than half of the villages lack adequate medical supplies.
In addition to this, there is a weak and under-resourced ambulance system, with a severe lack of functioning vehicles, fuel, and trained personnel, which paralyzes the evacuation of seriously injured people.
