Afghan quake victims need our help

The United States can save many earthquake victims in Afghanistan by sending humanitarian aid. It's America’s tradition to rescue those who are suffering, especially children.

A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan on Aug. 31 in the middle of the night. The quake killed and wounded thousands of Afghans, many who lived in homes that were poorly built and unable to withstand any shock. More Afghan lives will be at risk unless they can get medical care, food, clean water and shelter.

"Roads have been blocked by rocks, cutting off villages and hampering rescue operations. Children and their families need urgent support – with the likely destruction of so many homes, they will need food, clean water, shelter and essential household items" said Samira Sayed Rahman, advocacy director, Save the Children Afghanistan.

Even before the earthquake Afghanistan has been reeling in severe hunger and poverty. There has been an intense drought making food shortages worse. There has been very little funding for humanitarian aid.

The U.N. World Food Program (WFP), which relies on voluntary donations, has faced extremely low funding for its Afghanistan operations. The WFP has been unable to treat some malnourished children and mothers because of these funding shortages.

Now WFP, with very little funding, will be leading the mission to feed hungry earthquake victims.

"Our teams are working around the clock to get emergency food to those in need, but the reality is brutal,“ said Harald Mannhardt, WFP’s Deputy Country Director in Afghanistan.

This year the United States has tragically been cutting back on global humanitarian aid, which is a relatively tiny part of the budget. Far more money goes into armaments than global food aid.

The United States must get its humanitarian programs funded again and operating without obstruction. This is critical aid for Afghanistan and many other nations facing emergencies.

America must be the beacon of goodwill in the world, responding to help those in need wherever they are. That is who we are as a nation. Our spiritual path to peace is rescuing hungry victims of disasters and wars. Herbert Hoover called it the “lamp of compassion” which burned brightly when the Greatest Generation saved millions of people from starvation after World War II.

There are many ways someone can help Afghanistan. One is by donating to the relief agencies who are on the ground trying to provide aid. The WFP, UNICEF, Save the Children, CARE, Catholic Relief Services, Mercy Corps, Norwegian Refugee Council, Action against Hunger, International Red Cross and other charities all need your support.

You can also remind your elected officials to increase funding for global humanitarian aid. We can respond to disasters like the Afghanistan earthquake with enough funding. There are numerous disasters and wars that call for increasing humanitarian aid funding.

Right now there are Afghans in shock over what has just struck their country. They are desperate for aid, hoping someone hears their cries for help.

William Lambers is an author who partnered with the U.N. World Food Program on the book “Ending World Hunger.”