The devastating earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan last week has left behind a trail of tragedy and despair. Entire villages were flattened, homes reduced to rubble, and families torn apart. With more than 2,200 lives lost, and hundreds of bodies still being recovered from the ruins, the scale of human suffering is immense. In the mountainous Kunar province, where communities live precariously along steep valleys and remote highlands, the destruction has been particularly acute.
Yet, amid this calamity, the international community has once again witnessed Qatar’s steadfast commitment to humanitarian solidarity.
True to its long-standing tradition, Qatar has been at the forefront of emergency relief. Guided by the directives of the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, four Qatari Amiri Air Force aircraft landed in Kabul on Wednesday, carrying life-saving assistance. The aid included two fully equipped field hospitals, essential food and medical supplies, and shelter materials—enough to support nearly 11,000 beneficiaries. Qatar’s response is never symbolic. Through a well-established humanitarian air bridge, Qatar ensures rapid deployment of relief materials. Whether via military aircraft or through Qatar Airways Cargo’s large-scale transport, aid is delivered with precision and urgency.
Qatar’s role does not stop at providing materials. The Qatar International Search and Rescue Group of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) has been actively engaged in recovery operations—rescuing survivors, locating the missing, and supporting Afghan teams on the ground. These interventions underline Qatar’s holistic approach to crisis response: not just relief, but also rescue.
More than a provider of aid, Qatar has carved out a distinct role as a humanitarian diplomat. It leverages its influence to secure access for aid deliveries, mediate ceasefires, and build resilience in fragile states. This approach reflects a recognition that humanitarian crises cannot be solved by aid alone; they demand political will, mediation, and long-term partnerships.
Afghanistan’s tragedy is one chapter in a broader global story. From Gaza to Sudan, populations endure immense suffering amid wars, blockades, and displacement. In Gaza, in particular, the humanitarian catastrophe has reached unprecedented levels as it nears the conclusion of its second year of relentless aggression.
The State of Qatar has consistently emphasized that worsening humanitarian conditions worldwide—compounded by ongoing conflicts, natural disasters—demand collective responsibility.
In Afghanistan today, as in Gaza and Sudan, aid is not merely a gesture of goodwill. It is a moral obligation. Qatar’s unwavering presence on the frontlines of crises reminds us that solidarity, when backed by decisive action, can bring hope to the hopeless.
