The United States has offered its “condolences” to those affected by Wednesday’s devastating earthquake in Afghanistan.
“We are deeply saddened by reports of an earthquake in eastern Afghanistan,” the Twitter account of the U.S. embassy in Kabul posted on Wednesday.
The U.S. has no presence in Afghanistan after the total withdrawal of U.S. troops and the collapse of the Afghan government, and its embassy currently operates outside Qatar. It has no official relations with the Taliban government.
CNN has asked the US State Department if it intends to provide assistance in response to the natural disaster that has killed more than 900 people.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed his condolences in a tweet on Wednesday. (Anjum Naveed / AP)
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed his condolences and offer of support in a tweet on Wednesday.
“Deeply sad to know the earthquake in Afghanistan, which caused the loss of innocent lives,” he wrote. “The people of Pakistan share the grief and grief of their Afghan brothers. The competent authorities are working to support Afghanistan in this time of need.”
India expressed “its sympathy and condolences to the victims and their families,” according to a tweet from India’s Foreign Ministry spokesman on Wednesday.
The Iranian embassy in Kabul said it was sending two planes with first aid supplies to Afghanistan.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said he “regrets” the deaths caused by the earthquake, according to a tweet from the Chinese ambassador to Afghanistan. “Afg is a friendly neighbor of China and China is ready to provide emergency humanitarian assistance according to Afg’s needs,” the embassy tweeted.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry said that the Turkish Red Crescent, a humanitarian organization, “which has been operating in Afghanistan, has sent humanitarian aid to the victims of the earthquake in the region.”
Pope Francis said he was praying “for those who have lost their lives and for their families.”
“I hope that aid can be sent there to help all the suffering of the beloved people of Afghanistan,” the pope said.
Former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani also called on international organizations and charities to help families affected by the quake.