Afghanistan’s ongoing internet blackout is making it even harder for aid groups to help survivors of the deadly August earthquakes, the United Nations warns. Remote communities in the country’s rugged mountains are now cut off from essential support, financial services, and key coordination efforts, according to local reports from outlets like Khaama Press.
UN humanitarian coordinator Indrika Ratwatte highlighted the crisis on Tuesday, noting that all phone lines and fiber-optic connections remain shut down “until further notice.” This means relief teams in hard-to-reach areas can’t reach their central offices, leaving earthquake survivors without timely aid. In Kunar province, displaced families living in isolated spots face desperate situations, struggling to get the help they need.
The blackout isn’t just hitting disaster relief—it’s also crippling health services, banking, and everyday financial transactions across Afghanistan. Ratwatte pointed out that international money transfers and local banking have ground to a halt, worsening the humanitarian crisis for people already in tough spots. Without internet access, aid organizations say they simply can’t deliver life-saving support to Afghanistan’s most vulnerable residents.
The UN is calling for an immediate fix to restore communications, stressing that this shutdown doesn’t just delay earthquake recovery; it risks deepening economic and social hardships in the weeks ahead. On Monday, the outage sparked bigger problems, disrupting flights and travel to Afghanistan. Airlines suspended services that evening, leaving passengers stranded at Dubai International Airport and beyond.
Social media images captured the chaos: crowded terminals filled with worried travelers unsure when flights to Afghanistan would resume. For Afghans living abroad, the internet shutdown means no way to check on family back home, fueling anxiety over the situation. Experts say this blackout is stirring fears about everything from transport and trade to daily business operations and household needs, pushing Afghanistan’s humanitarian and economic woes to a breaking point.
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